[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 31 (Monday, August 6, 2001)]
[Pages 1129-1130]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting on the Administration's Agenda

August 3, 2001

    Good afternoon. The Vice President and I are pleased to welcome the 
Cabinet to the Rose Garden. Together with Congress, we are proving that 
a new tone, a clear agenda, and active leadership can bring significant 
progress to the Nation's Capital. We are ending deadlock and drift and 
making our system work on behalf of the American people.
    Six months ago I chose a distinguished Cabinet, took a solemn oath, 
and promised to fight for the things close to my heart. My 
administration pledged to bring stability and high standards to 
Washington and to lead for the sake of all Americans.
    Six months later I'm proud of my Cabinet and the White House staff, 
who have worked with such energy and have brought integrity to their 
jobs. I'm grateful for the good will shown by Congress, and I am pleased 
with the progress we have made together, progress that touches every 
American family.

[[Page 1130]]

    We acted quickly to pass the first major tax cut in a generation to 
help families in an economic slowdown and to help rebuild the momentum 
of our economy.
    Both Houses of Congress have passed major education reform 
legislation, which will bring a new passion for excellence to America's 
public schools. We have broken 6 years of gridlock in the task of 
protecting patients from arbitrary medical decisions made by 
bureaucrats. The House has passed a bill to promote the work of 
mentoring groups, homeless shelters, and drug treatment facilities. And 
I have had positive discussions with leaders in the United States Senate 
on this matter.
    The House has also passed an energy plan that addresses current 
needs. We have put our foreign policy on sound footing. We are 
strengthening our relationships with our allies and moving to build a 
world that trades more freely.
    We have taken the first steps toward revitalizing and transforming 
our military so it can meet the threats and challenges of the future. 
Today the Senate joined with the House to provide our farmers with $5.5 
billion of emergency help. We passed a budget resolution that, for the 
first time in recent memory, has been respected, not ignored. And we are 
on our way to the second largest surplus in history, as well as paying 
down a significant amount of U.S. debt.
    On this path, we are headed for a year of strong, meaningful 
legislative achievements. And I want to express my thanks for every 
legislator who made tough decisions, every legislator who chose long-
term progress over short-term political gain.
    There's much more to do. In September the second stage of our work 
begins, and I will be guided by a few goals. First, we must finish the 
work we have begun. On the topics of education and the disadvantaged, 
our Nation has needs that will not wait. Americans, come September, will 
be watching. They want us to be principled, not partisan. They want us 
to look for agreement instead of looking for fights and arguments. 
Americans know obstructionism when they see it, and when necessary, I 
will point it out.
    Second, the Congress must live within the generous limits of our 
budget. Irresponsible spending is a threat to our economy and a threat 
to the essential functions of our Government. I will protect Medicare, 
Social Security, and our Armed Forces. And I will protect the American 
taxpayers. The Congress, through its budget resolution, has given its 
word on spending. So far, Congress has kept its word, and it must 
continue to do so.
    Third, within a limited budget we must have an active, compassionate 
Government. Beginning in September, I'll be proposing creative ways to 
tackle some of the toughest problems in our society. We must take the 
side of parents trying to raise responsible, motivated, and moral 
children. We must help disadvantaged Americans find opportunity and 
ownership and the tools to succeed in our free economy. We must show 
that our welcoming society values the ideals and contributions of 
immigrants. We must challenge Americans to be citizens, not spectators, 
in the renewal of their neighborhoods and their cities.
    In a few days, I'm headed home to the heartland to listen to the 
American people and to talk about the values that unite and sustain our 
country. Members of Congress are going home, as well. When we all come 
back in September, so many accomplishments are within our reach, and I 
look forward to the work ahead.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 2:21 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House.