[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 36 (Monday, September 10, 2001)]
[Page 1278]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Following a Meeting With Congressional Leaders

September 7, 2001

Unemployment Rates

    Thank you all for coming. Today, visiting with the Speaker and the 
Leader, it's the end of a long week of discussing how to make sure our 
economy begins to grow again.
    I want to appreciate Denny and Trent for coming down again. They've 
been visiting with their Members, and I've been visiting with them and 
their Members. I also had a good discussion today with Minority Leader 
Gephardt and, of course, Senate Majority Leader Daschle the other day, 
as well, about how we can kind of get away from all the distractions 
that tend to dominate Washington and focus on a pro-growth agenda for 
this fall.
    The unemployment numbers today are evidence that I've seen firsthand 
as I travel the country, and that is, too many people are losing their 
jobs as a result of a slowdown that began when Dick and I were 
campaigning across our country last summer. This slowdown is real, and 
it's affecting too many lives, and we're concerned about it.
    Any American out of work is too many Americans out of work. And 
that's why it's absolutely essential that we work together to put a 
growth plan in place to create jobs for hard-working Americans. It 
starts with having a responsible budget that meets our Nation's 
obligations without affecting Social Security or dipping into Social 
Security.
    We made a great step toward economic growth when we worked together 
to pass tax relief. One-half of the checks have gone out; more relief is 
on the way this fall, which should help our economy. Beginning in 
January 1st, Americans will see lower tax rates, lower withholding from 
their paychecks, and a larger tax credit.
    Tax relief is just now making its way in the economy, and there are 
some, it seems like, who are beginning to say, maybe we ought to raise 
taxes. But I can assure you, the four of us on this stage are not going 
to let anybody pick the pockets of the American taxpayer.
    To help get our economy moving again, Congress needs to enact an 
energy plan which will lower energy costs and create jobs. To get the 
economy moving again, Congress needs to enact trade promotion authority, 
so we can open up new markets for American products.
    We've got a plan to get our economy moving so Americans can find 
work. And today I want to thank the leadership of the Congress from the 
Republican side that came and strategized with the Vice President and me 
as how to get this plan moving. I want the American people to know we're 
deeply concerned about the unemployment rates, and we intend to do 
something about it.
    Thank you all very much.

Note: The exchange began at 3:07 p.m. on the South Grounds of the White 
House.