[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 40 (Monday, October 8, 2001)]
[Page 1407]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Bipartisan Agreement on Fiscal 
Year 2002 Discretionary Appropriations Levels

October 2, 2001

Dear  __________ :

    I support the bipartisan agreement to set FY 2002 discretionary 
appropriations levels at a total of $686 billion. If the Congress 
presents appropriations bills to me that comply with this aggregate 
spending level, and are otherwise acceptable, I will sign them.
    Within this total, I understand that defense activities will be 
funded at the amended budget level. In addition, I understand that an 
appropriations bill for education will include $4 billion above my 
budget request and will be accommodated within the total discretionary 
level. I also understand that the agreement includes $2.2 billion in 
contingent emergency appropriations, within the $686 billion agreement. 
These emergency funds would be available only to the extent that they 
are necessary to fund unexpected costs that may arise as a consequence 
of urgent requirements beyond the program funding levels provided in the 
regular appropriations bills.
    This agreement does not compromise my discretion to consider the 
policy and program content of legislation before agreeing to sign it. 
However, passage of appropriations measures within the agreed total will 
mean that there will be no disagreement between the Congress and my 
Administration over aggregate funding levels.
    This agreement is the result of extensive discussions to produce an 
acceptable bipartisan solution to facilitate the orderly enactment of 
appropriations measures. This agreement and the aggregate spending level 
are the result of a strong bipartisan effort at this critical time for 
our Nation, and I expect that all parties will now proceed expeditiously 
and in full compliance with the agreement.
     Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives; Richard A. Gephardt, House minority leader; 
C.W. Bill Young, chairman, and David R. Obey, ranking member, House 
Committee on Appropriations; Thomas A. Daschle, Senate majority leader; 
Trent Lott, Senate minority leader; and Robert C. Byrd, chairman, and 
Ted Stevens, ranking member, Senate Committee on Appropriations. An 
original was not available for verification of the content of this 
letter.