Remarks to Families at a Target Store and an Exchange With Reporters in Kansas City, Missouri

Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, August 27, 2001

August 21, 2001

The President. Good morning, everybody. I'm excited to be here at Target. A lot of these folks have--some of the folks have got their rebate check; some of them are getting them. But I suggest you talk to the Target people about what the rebate check has meant for their business. One of the main reasons why we insisted that people get money back was to provide a second wind or our economy. And the other reason why is because we recognize that these good folks spend their money just as wisely, if not more wisely, than the Government can.

I remember in the debate, people said, "Well, $600 doesn't mean much." Well, I suggest you ask people who got the $600 what it means. It seems to mean a lot to a lot of folks.

[At this point, the President greeted audience members and then answered questions from reporters.]

Federal Budget/Tax Relief

The President. Okay.

Q. Mr. President, would you like to see Social Security kind of taken out of the budget equation? You are going to have like a billion dollar surplus just from general revenues tomorrow. Do you think that's a fair way of figuring out the surplus?

The President. I think what I said in the speech was what I mean, that Social Security ought to be spent on Social Security, and 0MB numbers show that that's the way it's going to be. That hasn't been the case; seven out of the last eight budgets have used Social Security for--they used Social Security funds for other matters. And we worked with Congress--see, here's the problem. A lot in Congress are upset that we passed money back to the people because they wanted to spend it on pet projects, on bigger appropriations. And what I am saying is, that battle's over with.

We cut the taxes; it was the right thing to do. It was the right thing to trust the people with the money. It was the right thing for our economy. And Congress now needs to understand that there are some new parameters. When you pass money back to the people, it means there is not that much money available for additional programs, and they need to be fiscally sound.

We've got a good budget. And the fundamental question is, will the appropriators stick to the budget, and I am confident they will if they listen to the people.

And one of the reasons why we came here is to highlight the fact that the tax relief plan is important to hardworking Americans. Some people said, you know, "Thanks for giving us the money." Well, it's their money to begin with. That's the point I keep making. It's not the Government's money; it's the people's money. And these good folks have got a reason to spend it. A lot of them are going to spend it on school supplies. But it's not only important for them; it's important for our economy.

Q. Sir, the ad team for Al Gore's last campaign put out an ad today for the Democratic National Committee accusing you of raiding the Medicare Trust Fund and asking you to take Harry Truman's plain-spokenness and tell the people the truth. Is that fair?

The President. Well, you know, there's a lot of people still want to politicize the budget. They like the old-time wars of zero-sum politics. There are a lot of big spenders, a lot of highly partisan people that really didn't like the tax cut to begin with. They want the Government to have the people's money. They believe in bigger Government.

And all I do is rest my case with the people. And the people wanted tax relief. The people want fiscal sanity in Washington. The people want all the money going into Medicare to be spent on Medicare, and that's what my budget does. And people also want a good defense for our country. And I hope, at the very minimum, the leadership in the Congress will give us the Defense appropriation number and the Education appropriation number early in the process, so that we don't rob defense or rob education by holding those appropriation bills late.

Q. Sir, where do you draw the line in terms of using your veto power this fall? Is it sticking to the budget resolution numbers? Or--

The President. The budget resolution number's a good place to begin. Because if we appropriate, of course, for the budget, we will not only be able to afford the tax relief, but we won't touch Social Security, and we will be able to fund the Nation's priorities, including education and defense.

As you know, you heard my speech yesterday--should have heard my speech or will pay to hear my speech--and whether or not you listen to it is another question--but we have--I have requested a good deal of money for defense, and it's needed.

Possibility of Government Shutdown

Q. Sir, you know, in the Clinton administration, they had some battles up there. They had to shut down the Government from overspending. They wanted more money.

The President. Yes. Right. A new sheriff in town.

Q. If it comes down to a showdown about closing down Government, are you prepared to--

The President. I am confident we won't have to shut down the--shut down the Government. There are things such as continuing resolutions. There's ways for us to make sure that the budget--I mean, the Government doesn't get shut down over a budget fight.