[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 8 (Monday, February 26, 2001)]
[Pages 324-331]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
The President's News Conference

February 22, 2001

    The President. Good afternoon. It's been about a month now since 
I've taken office, and I thought it appropriate to come by and have a 
press conference. Before I do so, though, I'd like to make a few 
comments.
    One of my missions has been to change the tone here in the Nation's 
Capital to encourage civil discourse. I think we're making pretty good 
progress. I want to thank the Democrats and the Republicans who have 
been coming up to the White House to hear me make my case. I appreciate 
their responsiveness. I just hope they vote for my agenda that I'll be 
submitting next week in a budget address to the Congress.
    I have a reasonable and balanced budget. It meets growing needs with 
a responsible rate of increase in spending. It funds priorities. And my 
administration has no higher priority than education.
    Yesterday I announced that the Department of Education will receive 
the largest percentage increase of any Department in the Federal 
Government, a little more than an 11-percent increase. But with new 
money will come high expectations. We must insist on results and support 
programs that work. It is in the best interests of American children 
that we reform our public schools by having strong accountability at its 
core.
    Our budget will honor commitments of America's senior citizens. 
Social Security and Medicare funds will be protected for Social

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Security and Medicare. We're now spending $216 billion on Medicare. 
Under my budget, Medicare spending will increase by more than 21 billion 
in 2002. My budget also locks away $2.6 trillion of the $5.6 trillion 
surplus for Social Security over the next 10 years.
    Our budget is fiscally responsible. If enacted, it will reduce debt 
by an unprecedented amount over the next 4 years. Altogether, about 60 
percent of the projected Federal surplus will be used to fund priorities 
and to reduce debt.
    After we've funded our priorities, after we pay down an 
unprecedented amount of debt, we'll still have money left over, which 
leaves us with two options: first is to spend it on bigger Government; 
or return it to the taxpayers who earned it. I believe it should be 
returned to the taxpayers. It's the people's money, and the Government 
ought to be passing it back after it's met priorities.
    It is also necessary because these are uncertain times--increasing 
layoffs, growing consumer debt, lower consumer confidence--and lower 
taxes will help our economy. This will be a responsible and fair budget 
that reflects the Nation's priorities. I invite the American people to 
listen to what I have to say to the Congress.
    I will be glad to answer any questions you have.

Robert Hanssen Espionage Case

    Q. Mr. President, in light of the latest spy scandal, should senior 
FBI officials be required to take polygraph tests? And secondly, what, 
if any, responsibility should the FBI Director, Louis Freeh, bear for 
this breach of national security?
    The President. I have confidence in
Director Freeh. I think he does a good job. I have confidence in the men 
and women who work at the FBI. I am deeply concerned about the current 
spy case, as is Director Freeh. He has made the right move in selecting 
Judge Webster to review all procedures in the FBI to make sure that this 
doesn't happen again. We ought to be concerned about espionage in 
America. In the statement I made the other day, I said we will be 
diligent. We will find spies, and we will prosecute them. I am pleased 
that they caught the spy. Now the courts must act.
    Q. Polygraphs--do we need polygraphs, though, to be able to catch 
them?
    The President. I look forward to seeing what Judge Webster has to 
say. I presume he's going to review that issue and will make a 
recommendation to the Director and to me.
    Q. Mr. President, do you believe that----
    The President. It's not your turn, but go ahead. [Laughter] Yes, 
Gregory [David Gregory, NBC News].

Clinton Pardons

    Q. Do you believe that pardons were for sale in the Clinton White 
House? And what, specifically, do you think should be done to look into, 
to investigate the circumstances of the President's brother-in-law 
accepting money to lobby him on pardons?
    The President. David, I--as far as this White House is concerned, 
it's time to go forward. I've too much to do to get a budget passed, to 
get reforms passed for education, to get a tax cut passed, to strengthen 
the military, than to be worrying about decisions that my predecessor 
made.
    I understand there's going to be some people on Capitol Hill that 
are going to be asking questions. That's their right to do so. But I can 
assure you our White House is moving forward. And to the extent the 
Justice Department looks into this matter, it will be done in a 
nonpolitical way. During John Ashcroft's confirmation process, I said 
that the Justice Department will conduct its business in a nonpolitical 
way, and we will do so.
    Q. Can I just follow?
    The President. Sure. Yes, David.
    Q. Other Presidents are commenting on this matter. On the Rich 
pardon specifically, former President Carter said that in his opinion, 
it was ``disgraceful.'' Do you not have an opinion on a power that is 
absolute and is vested in you as the President?
    The President. My opinion is I will--should I decide to grant 
pardons, I will do so in a fair way. I'll have the highest of high 
standards.
    But the President made the decisions he made, and he can answer the 
questions raised by the American citizens and the press corps. This 
White House is moving forward. We've got a lot to do. We've got a lot of

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people to convince on our agenda. I think we're making pretty good 
progress, but there's a lot of work to be done.
    Steve [Steve Holland, Reuters].

Russia-U.S. Relations

    Q. Mr. President, do you think that U.S.-Russian relations have been 
damaged by the new spy case? And secondly, are the Russians showing any 
flexibility on a missile defense system?
    The President. I intend to deal with Mr. Putin in a very 
straightforward way, to be up front with him on all matters. I am, of 
course, disturbed about the espionage--the alleged espionage that took 
place. I'm mindful that there are people who don't particularly care 
what America stands for and people who are interested in our secrets.
    Secondly, I was pleased to see comments from Russian leadership that 
talked about missile defense. It is a--their words indicate that they 
recognize that there are new threats in the post-cold-war era, threats 
that require theater-based antiballistic missile systems. I felt those 
words were encouraging.
    When I meet with Mr. Putin, I'm going to talk to him about exactly 
what he meant by those words. We have no meeting set up yet, I might 
add, but I took that to be encouraging, Steve. It reminded me of what 
happened after I met with Mr. Ivanov. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Putin also 
talked about theater-based systems and the ability to intercept missiles 
on launch. And to me, it's indicative of his recognition of the 
realities of the true threats in the post-cold-war era, threats from an 
accidental launch or threats as a result of a leader in what they call a 
rogue nation, trying to hold ourselves or our allies or Russia, for that 
matter, hostage. So I was pleased with what I saw.
    John [John Roberts, CBS News].

Sanctions Against Iraq

    Q. Sir, the Secretary of State is departing for the Middle East 
tomorrow. One of the things that he will be discussing with Middle East 
leaders is the possibility of modifying sanctions on Iraq, and I'm 
wondering what message he will take from this administration to leaders 
in the Middle East in the area of sanctions that matter, sanctions that 
are effective on the regime but do not carry with them the same level of 
criticism that current sanctions have had in that they affect the Iraqi 
civilian population more than they do the regime, sir.
    The President. We're reviewing all policy in all regions of the 
world, and one of the areas we've been spending a lot of time on is the 
Persian Gulf and the Middle East. The Secretary of State is going to go 
listen to our allies as to how best to effect a policy, the primary goal 
of which will be to say to Saddam Hussein, we won't tolerate you 
developing weapons of mass destruction, and we expect you to leave your 
neighbors alone.
    I have said that the sanction regime is like Swiss cheese. That 
meant that they weren't very effective. And we're going to review 
current sanction policy and review options as to how to make the 
sanctions work. But the primary goal is to make it clear to Saddam that 
we expect him to be a peaceful neighbor in the region, and we expect him 
not to develop weapons of mass destruction. And if we find him doing so, 
there will be a consequence.
    We took action last week, and it may be on your mind as to that 
decision I made. The mission was twofold. One was to send him a clear 
message that this administration will remain engaged in that part of the 
world. I think we accomplished that mission. We got his attention. And 
secondly, the mission was to degrade his capacity to harm our pilots who 
might be flying in the no-fly zone. And we accomplished that mission, as 
well.
    Q. Sir, if I could follow up----
    The President. Yes, John, go ahead.
    Q. How would you characterize sanctions that work, sir?
    The President. Sanctions that work are sanctions that when a--the 
collective will of the region supports the policy, that we have a 
coalition of countries that agree with the policy set out by the United 
States. To me, that's the most effective form of sanctions.
    Many nations in that part of the world aren't adhering to the 
sanction policy that had been in place, and as a result, a lot of goods 
are heading into Iraq that were not supposed to. And so, good sanction 
policy is one where the United States is able to build a coalition 
around the strategy.
    Yes, ma'am.

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Legislative Agenda

    Q. Mr. President, if I can go back to the controversy surrounding 
former President Clinton and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, are you at 
all concerned that these controversies are serving as a distraction for 
your administration's agenda? Are you concerned that further 
congressional hearings will mean that lawmakers are spending more time 
on those matters than on working on your policies?
    The President. I--as I said earlier, I've got a lot of work to do, 
and I think I've got the Congress' attention. I certainly hope so. There 
has been a lot of discussion about tax relief, and I'm pleased with the 
progress being made on that important subject. There's a lot of hot 
debate that have already taken place, and we've just begun to make the 
case. I'm beginning to travel around the country to important States--
all the States are important, of course, but some States may be more 
important than others right now in trying to convince some lawmakers to 
hear the message of the people. This is an issue that affects everybody 
who pays taxes. Congress is listening to the debate. They're 
participating in the debate.
    There's a lot of discussion about education reform on the Hill, and 
I'm confident that the focus will be the right focus. And my speech 
Tuesday night, I hope, will help keep the focus on the agenda.
    Yes, ma'am. You're next.

Faith-Based Initiative

    Q. Mr. President, why do you refuse to respect the wall between the 
church and state? And you know that the mixing of religion and 
government for centuries has led to slaughter. I mean, the very fact 
that our country has stood in good stead by having the separation--why 
do you break it down?
    The President. Helen, [Helen Thomas, Hearst Newspapers]. I strongly 
respect the separation of church and state----
    Q. Well, you wouldn't have a religious office in the White House if 
you did.
    The President. I didn't get to finish my answer, in all due respect. 
I believe that so long as there's a secular alternative available, we 
ought to allow individuals who are helping to be able to choose a 
program that may be run by a faith-based program, or will be run by a 
faith-based program.
    I understand full well that some of the most compassionate missions 
of help and aid come out of faith-based programs. And I strongly support 
the faith-based initiative that we're proposing, because I don't believe 
it violates the line between the separation of church and state, and I 
believe it's going to make America a better place.
    Q. Well, you are a secular official.
    The President. I agree. I am a secular official.
    Q. And not a missionary.

Airstrikes on Iraq

    Q. Sir, on the airstrikes in Iraq, the Pentagon is now saying that 
most of the bombs used in those strikes missed their targets. Given 
that, what is now your assessment of how successful those strikes were? 
How much danger do the remaining installations that we missed in those 
strikes pose to our forces? And would you hit them again if commanders 
in the field asked for authorization to do so?
    The President. I--we had two missions. One was to send a clear 
signal to Saddam, and the other was to degrade the capacity of Saddam to 
injure our pilots. I believe we succeeded in both those missions.
    The bomb assessment damage report is ongoing, and I look forward to 
hear what the Pentagon has to say as they fully assess, completely 
assess the mission. And I will continue to listen to the commanders in 
the field. My job as Commander in Chief is to get input from the 
commanders in the field, and we will do everything needed to protect our 
pilots, to protect the men and women who wear the uniform.
    ``Brunei'' [Frank Bruni, New York Times].

Tax Cut Legislation

    Q. You said that your $1.6 trillion tax cut is reasonable and 
responsible within the outlines of the budget you're going to present. 
If, when that gets to Congress, things start getting layered on to it, 
like corporate tax cuts, capital gains, would you still support it? And 
if it reached your desk at a higher level, would you sign it?

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    The President. As you know, I shy away from hypotheticals, Pancho. 
I'm going to resist the Christmas tree effect of tax policy. I don't 
want people putting ornaments on my plan. I have made it clear to the 
business interests that the best tax policy is one that reduces the 
taxes on the people, and I hope they listen to me, and I hope they help 
me get the tax plan through that I have proposed.
    And the reason I feel so strongly about that is, one, a marginal cut 
will help the economy. Secondly, I am deeply concerned about high energy 
prices and their effect on the working people in the country. I am 
concerned about consumer debt. I know there's a lot of talk in 
Washington about paying down the national debt, and that's fine and 
good, and our budget will do so. But I am very concerned about the fact 
that a lot of consumers in our country have got high consumer debt. And 
I believe we need to share some of their money with them so they can 
help manage their own personal finances. And I will resist the 
temptation by folks to pile on their pet projects on to our tax cut.
    Q. But if they do pile on?
    The President. Well, first of all, I'm not willing to admit defeat 
right here before I've begun to fight or persuade--let me put it to you 
that way. I think I've got a pretty good case, and I think that many of 
the business interests will hear that case.
    Yes, sir.

Plan Colombia/Fast-Track Trading Authority

    Q. You've shown a lot of interest in Latin America issues.
    The President. Si.
    Q. I have a double question for you. The first one has to do with 
Colombia. There's a big meeting on Tuesday with President Pastrana, and 
a lot of people are still worried about the implications of Plan 
Colombia, which your predecessor set in motion, about possible future 
military involvement of the United States. I want to know your 
impressions of Plan Colombia.
    And my second question has to do with the free trade agreement for 
Latin America. You're going to be going to Quebec in April. Are you 
going to ask for fast-track approval so this thing can get going again, 
because it's been kind of dormant lately?
    The President. I appreciate that question. I'd love to have fast-
track approval. I think it's going to be important to work with our 
neighbors to the south and Canada to the north, to promote free trade 
throughout the hemisphere.
    I spoke to the Prime Minister of Canada this morning, and that 
subject came up, about the summit, upcoming summit. And so we're going 
to begin the process in Congress. Ambassador Zoellick will be working 
with Members of Congress to lay the groundwork for the ability for the 
President to have what they call fast-track negotiating authority.
    Secondly, I look forward to my meeting with President Pastrana. I'm 
looking forward to the briefing that he'll be bringing from Colombia. 
And I, too, am worried about ever committing the United States military 
to an engagement in that part of the world. I know we're training, and 
that's fine, but the mission ought to be limited to just that. And so I 
share the concern of those who are worried that at some point in time 
the United States might become militarily engaged.
    Now, in terms of the success of the mission, the President's going 
to bring me his firsthand account of what's taking place in the country. 
I am concerned about the amount of acreage in cultivation for the growth 
of coca leaves. We've got to do a better job of working with the 
Colombia Government on its eradication program.
    I had a long talk about the Andes with President Fox. I'm convinced 
President Fox will be a stabilizing influence for that part of the 
world. Fortunately, we've got a good relationship so that he will share 
with me his insights as things develop. He has had meetings with Mr. 
Pastrana and Mr. Chavez, and I believe Vicente Fox is going to be a 
stabilizing influence and a positive influence on the Andes.
    Jim [Jim Angle, Fox News].

China and Iraq

    Q. Mr. President, on Iraq, what is your understanding of the Chinese 
presence in Iraq, especially with regard to constructing

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military facilities? And do you see anything that you see as a violation 
of U.N. sanctions?
    The President. We're concerned about the Chinese presence in Iraq, 
and we are--my administration is sending the appropriate response to the 
Chinese. Yes, it's troubling that they'd be involved in helping Iraq 
develop a system that will endanger our pilots.
    Q. That is what they're doing, sir, you're convinced that is----
    The President. We think that may be the case. Let me just tell you 
this. It's risen to the level where we're going to send a message to the 
Chinese.
    Let's see. Kelly Wallace [Cable News Network].
    Q. Oh, I get a second one?
    The President. Yes, Dick [John Dickerson, Time].

Presidential Pardons

    Q. Mr. President, when you campaigned--I know you want to move 
forward on this question of pardons--but when you campaigned, you talked 
about the legacy of the sixties, where leaders didn't stand up and take 
their moral role and say something had been done wrong here. You want to 
move forward, but on the question of these pardons, do you feel there's 
any moral obligation, in terms of your office, to stand up and say to 
those who may be watching this, look, something has been done wrong 
here?
    The President. I think the press corps will ferret out any 
wrongdoing. My job is to assure the American people that this 
administration will have the highest ethical standards. And we're going 
to move forward. The President made decisions he made, and I made the 
decision in this White House to move forward. And we will.
    Q. President Bush, given the questions that are being raised about 
the involvement of Senator Hillary Clinton's brother in the pardons 
process, what kind of guidance would you give members of your own 
politically active family in not only seeking pardons but seeking any 
other influence on any other issues with your administration?
    The President. My guidance to them is, behave yourself. And they 
will.

Tax Cut Legislation

    Q. Mr. President, to follow up on your answer on the tax question, 
perhaps looking at it the other way, some people are saying that perhaps 
it's too large a tax cut.
    The President. Some are saying it's too small; some are saying it's 
too large; and I'm saying it's just right.
    Q. But are you willing----
    The President. Let him have another. I interrupted him.
    Q. You were not willing to be flexible in terms of people who want 
to increase the size. Are you willing to be flexible with people who 
want to lower the size of your tax cut?
    The President. I think it's just right. We've thought long and hard 
about the right number. This is a well-planned-out tax relief package 
that addresses the concerns of working Americans. It is needed; it is 
necessary; it will make a very positive difference in the lives of 
people who pay taxes. And our country can afford it.
    There is a choice we have to make: Once we meet priorities, do we 
increase the size of the Government, or do we increase the amount of 
money in the pockets of the people who are working for a living? It is 
the right size, and it is the right time for tax relief in the country.
    Bill [Bill Plante, CBS News]. And then you're next.
    Q. And on that same subject----
    The President. Yes, sir.
    Q. ----your tax and budget package, how can you be sure that, as you 
put it, there will be money left over? All it would take would be a less 
than one percentage point drop in productivity for that out-year surplus 
to dwindle or maybe even vanish. And also, nobody, including Alan 
Greenspan, thinks that it would provide much of a current stimulus.
    The President. First of all, I think given the choice between 
increasing the baselines of the budget, to the extent to which it had 
been increased the past, and passing money back to the people, I think 
Mr. Greenspan--not to put words in his mouth--but it seems like--why I 
don't just put some words in his mouth--[laughter]--it seems like what 
he said in his testimony is, he would rather see

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tax relief rather than increasing the size of the budgets beyond the 
needs of the country.
    Secondly, I believe we can do a heck of a lot better in growing our 
economy than the basic assumptions in the 10-year plan. I believe that 
good monetary policy, good fiscal policy, good regulatory policy, good 
trade policy will enable our economy to grow beyond the scope that is 
envisioned in the current budget projections.
    Secondly, I believe, as well, that if we don't pass some of the 
money back to the people that pay the bills, it is going to be spent. 
And I worry about a bloated Federal Government serving as a drag on 
economic growth.
    Yes, sir.

Prime Minister Tony Blair's Upcoming Visit

    Q. Mr. President, Stephen Sackur of the BBC.
    The President.  Yes, sir.
    Q. You have a meeting with Prime Minister Blair tomorrow.
    The President. Correct.
    Q. There are some concerns in this country about the European plan 
for what they call a rapid-reaction force, their own military 
capability. What will you tell Prime Minister Blair about the American 
attitude to this rapid-reaction force?
    The President. I, first, look forward to the visit. I'm anxious to 
meet the Prime Minister. We've had a couple of good conversations on the 
telephone. I'm thankful that he's coming across the--actually coming 
down from Canada--but coming across the sea to visit us. Laura and I are 
looking to having a private dinner with he and Mrs. Blair Friday night. 
We'll be having a press availability after our meeting, and----
    Q. I know, but I think a lot of people would like to----
    The President. Well, why don't we wait until after he and I visit so 
I don't have to give the same answer twice.
    Q. But just on the whole outline of the question of the European 
defense capability----
    The President. You bet. I understand, you're trying to get me to 
tell you the answer twice. [Laughter] Britain and the United States have 
got a special relationship. We'll keep it that way. I look forward to 
talking to the Prime Minister about the importance of NATO. It is--
anyway, let me visit with him first. I promise to call upon you 
tomorrow. Nice try.
    Yes, sir.

Federal Budget

    Q. Mr. President, you've talked a lot about areas of the budget that 
are going to increase--education; today you talked about Medicare; 
you've talked before a little bit about defense. You haven't talked much 
about the areas where, to come in with a budget that's going to be 
responsible, you'll have to do some cuts.
    The President. Yes.
    Q. Where might we see you take the red pen to the budget?
    The President. Let me remind you, and the people who are listening, 
that accounting in Washington is a little different than the way 
normal--I shouldn't say ``normal'' people--the average person accounts. 
This is a town where if you don't increase the budget by an expected 
number, it's considered a cut.
    We're going to slow the rate of growth of the budget down. It should 
come to no surprise to anybody that my budget is going to say, loud and 
clear, that the rate of growth of the budget, for example, from last 
year, was excessive. And so we'll be slowing the rate of growth of the 
budgets down. That, evidently, is a cut. In my parlance, it's not a cut. 
When you increase spending, it's not a cut.
    I will be glad to explain some of the slowdowns and some of the 
increases and perhaps a decrease or two after we put the budget out. Let 
me submit it on Tuesday, and then I'll be glad to answer any questions.
    Thank you for this. I look forward to this--I look forward to future 
press conferences.
    Q. Frequently? [Laughter]
    The President. Well, yes, of course. [Laughter]
    Q. Once a week?
    The President. Well, you don't want to see me once a week. You'll 
run out of questions.
    Q. Twice a week?
    The President. Oh, twice? [Laughter] I'll be running out of ties. 
[Laughter]

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    Thank you very much.

Note: The President's second news conference began at 2:40 p.m. in the 
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. In his remarks, 
he referred to Judge William Webster, former Director, Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, who is leading the investigation of Special Agent Robert 
Hanssen; President Vladimir Putin and Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor 
Ivanov of Russia; President Saddam Hussein of Iraq; President Andres 
Pastrana of Colombia; Prime Minister Jean Chretien of Canada; U.S. Trade 
Representative Robert B. Zoellick; President Vicente Fox of Mexico; 
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela; and Prime Minister Tony Blair of the 
United Kingdom.