[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 15 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Pages 590-591]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Cabinet Meeting and an Exchange With Reporters

April 9, 2001

Federal Budget

    The President. Good morning. I'm discussing the budget we're sending 
to the Hill today with my Cabinet. It's a budget that protects 
taxpayers, protects children, protects our surplus. It represents 
compassionate conservatism. It's a budget that sets priorities. It's a 
budget that recognizes there are some good programs here in Washington 
that need to be funded.
    For example, the budget provides a $21 million increase for food 
safety programs, $1 billion increase for Pell grants for low income 
students, $350 million increase for childcare. We help children whose 
parents are in prison with a $67 million mentoring program. We increase 
funding available to prevent child abuse by 66 percent. We fight crime, 
$87 million increase for frontline prosecutors. We give $75 million for 
Project Child Safe, which is a program that provides gun safety locks 
for families. It fights corporate subsidies. It eliminates thousands of 
one-time earmarked projects.
    Washington is known for pork. This budget funds our needs without 
the fat. It also represents a new way of doing business in Washington 
and a new way of thinking. The budget puts the taxpayers first, and 
that's exactly where they belong. I'll be glad to answer questions.

[[Page 591]]

U.S. Navy Aircraft Incident

    Q. Mr. President, members of your administration expected the crew 
to be freed over the weekend. At this point, how can you not agree with 
Chairman Hyde that they are hostages?
    The President. First, I just talked to General Sealock, who had a 
good visit with all 24 crewmembers. His report is that their spirits are 
very high, that they're doing well, and that's good news. Secondly, all 
of us around this table understand diplomacy takes time. But there is a 
point--the longer it goes--there's a point at which our relations with 
China could become damaged.
    Q. Is there any more that you can do or say, sir?
    The President. Every day that goes by increases the potential that 
our relations with China could be damaged. And our hope is that this 
matter gets resolved quickly.
    Q. Is there anything else you can do? You said a week ago that it's 
time for them to come home. They're still not home. What else can the 
President of the United States do to bring our people home?
    The President. We're working behind the scenes. We've got every 
diplomatic channel open. We're in discussions with the Chinese. It is 
now time for our troops to come home so that our relationship does not 
become damaged.
    Thank you all.

Note: The President spoke at 9:15 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House. In his remarks, he referred to Brig. Gen. Neal Sealock, USA, U.S. 
Embassy Defense Attache in Beijing. A tape was not available for 
verification of the content of these remarks.