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Volume 37--Number 5
Pages 231-255
Week Ending Friday, February 2, 2001
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With the Energy Policy Development Group and
an Exchange With Reporters
January 29, 2001
Energy Policy
The President. This is the first in a series of meetings which will
be chaired by Vice President Cheney on discussing our Nation's energy
situation--can't think of a better man to run it than the Vice
President.
I've also asked, and he has asked, that senior members of the
Cabinet participate. This is a matter of high concern for this
administration, because it's a matter of high concern for our Nation.
It's becoming very clear to the country that demand is outstripping
supply, that there are more users of electricity and natural gas than
there is new units being found, and we've got to do something about that
in the country.
This administration is concerned about the people who work for a
living, concerned about people who struggle every day to get ahead. And
we understand--fully understand--what high energy costs can mean to
people in America, and we're going to formulate a strategy to deal with
it. And the Vice President's going to head the task force to report back
to me, and to the Nation, how best to cope with high energy prices and
how best to cope with reliance upon foreign oil, how best to encourage
the development of pipelines and power-generating capacity in the
country so that we can help our fellow citizens.
We have been dealing with this issue, obviously, because of the
State of California's woes. And I appreciate very much the way you
handled it, Mr. Secretary. The Governor of California asked for a 2 week
extension of mandatory sales of power and natural gas. We've granted
that extension for 2 weeks. It looks like they're making progress in
California, and we're pleased, because the situation is going to be best
remedied in California by Californians.
We're very aware in this administration that the situation in
California is beginning
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to affect neighboring States. Western Governors came to see the Vice
President, and they came to see me, as well. And they're deeply
concerned about the situation spreading beyond the California borders,
and so are we. And so the task force that's being assembled will not
only deal with the very short-run issues dealing with the West but,
obviously, the longer-term issues that will be confronting our country
for a while, unless we're willing to act boldly and swiftly, which we
will do.
Thank you for coming.
Super Bowl XXXV
Q. ----questions?
The President. Next time. Give you a chance to really think of some
good ones. [Laughter] I've got some suggestions--I've got some
suggestions. First answer--you can think of the question--first answer
is, Ravens. [Laughter]
Note: The President spoke at 11:35 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
House. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of Energy Spencer
Abraham and Gov. Gray Davis of California. A tape was not available for
verification of the content of these remarks.
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Monday, February 5, 2001
Volume 37--Number 5
Pages 231-255
Week Ending Friday, February 2, 2001
Remarks at a Meeting With Congressional Leaders and an Exchange With
Reporters
January 29, 2001
Legislative Agenda
The President. Mr. Secretary, you better move over before you get
trampled by the hungry caterpillar. [Laughter]
I want to thank the two chairmen from the Senate and the House for
coming to visit us. I appreciate you being here, Mr. Secretary; of
course, the Vice President. We've had a very--we've had a discussion--a
couple of key issues. One, I was informing the chairmen that today we're
sending up to the Hill our Immediate Helping Hand proposal, which is
help for prescription drugs for seniors. I appreciate them hearing me
out as to the rationale to send it up.
I was pleased to hear there is some sentiment on the Hill for quick
action for Medicare reform, a reform package which would include
prescription drugs. And secondly, of course, we talked about tax relief,
tax simplification, and tax fairness. They brought a favorable report
that members from both parties are beginning to talk positively about
tax relief and the positive effects it will have on our economy, on the
lives of our average citizens. So I want to thank them for coming.
I'd be glad to answer a few questions.
Yes, John.
Energy Policy Development Group
Q. Sir, on your energy task force, is this seeking political cover,
sir, to promote your campaign to open up the wildlife refuge? And also,
given the Vice President's past ties to oil, what can you say to
consumers that would allay any fears they might have that any deal that
you come up with on energy, any national energy policy, may be more
geared toward oil companies than to consumers?
The President. Well, Dick Cheney is a person who loves America and
cares about the future of the country, just like I do. And he
understands what I understand, that if we don't find more energy
supplies to meet growing demand in places like California, the consumer
is going to pay a dear price.
During the course of the campaign, we spent a lot of time talking
about the need to develop a national energy policy. And that's exactly
what we're going to do. There is a short-term issue of California, and
we responded quickly to the Governor's request for a 2 week extension on
some mandatory allocations of energy and gas. It's now up to the people
of California, the elected officials of California, to correct a flawed
law, and we're encouraged that they're doing so.
But there's a long-term issue as well, and that is, how do we find
more energy supplies? How do we encourage conservation on the one hand
and bring more energy into the marketplace? And a good place to look is
going to be ANWR. And I campaigned hard on the notion of having an
environmentally sensitive exploration to ANWR, and I think we can do so.
Faith-Based Initiative
Q. On your faith-based initiative, could you address the concern
that some people
[[Page 238]]
have that this is an erosion of church and state, and that this will
somehow be an office of evangelicals in the White House?
The President. Right. I appreciate that question, because I, in the
State of Texas, had heard a lot of discussion about a faith-based
initiative eroding the important bridge between church and state. And I
am convinced that our plan is constitutional, because we intend--we will
not fund a church or a synagogue or a mosque or any religion but,
instead, will be funding programs that affect people in a positive way.
The charitable choice provision that had been debated in the welfare
reform package fully explored the constitutional questions involved with
funding people and/or faith-based programs. And I am confident that our
program not only is constitutional but, more importantly, our program is
going to change America for the better, that we're going to help people,
and we're going to help people help themselves, and we're going to rally
the great compassion of America.
And I look forward to implementing this program. I look forward to
working with Members of Congress to put the required package together.
Prescription Drugs Legislation
Q. How do you respond to the Members of Congress who say they would
rather see a universal, broad-based approach to Medicare reform rather
than your drug plan first and a broader approach later?
The President. Well, if, in fact, what they're saying is that they
plan on expediting a Medicare reform that will include prescription
drugs for all seniors, then all of a sudden, I begin to say, ``Well,
gosh, that may make sense that you look at our proposal the way you
do.'' If they're going to drag their feet, if the Members of the
Congress on both sides of the aisle don't feel the same urgency that I
feel and these two chairmen feel on Medicare reform, then I feel it's
very important for us to have An Immediate Helping Hand. There are a lot
of seniors who need help when it comes to prescription drugs.
Marc Rich Pardon
Q. Why did you decide not to challenge the Clinton pardon, sir?
The President. Oh, on Marc Rich? First of all, I didn't agree with
the decision. I would not have made that decision myself. But the
ability for a President to make decisions is--a decision on pardons is
inviolate, as far as I'm concerned. It's an important part of the
office. I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself
but for predecessors as well. And that's why I made the decision.
Q. Are you troubled by the appearance, sir? Are you troubled by the
appearance of that pardon, sir?
The President. I was troubled by the decision the President made. I
would not have made the decision. I would not have made that decision.
But nevertheless, he was the President. He had the right to do so, to
make that decision, and he did. And I'm going to protect that privilege,
not only for me but for future Presidents as well.
Q. Is it a quid pro quo----
The President. I don't know about that. It's going to be up for a
good journalist to figure that out--like you, Roberts [John Roberts, CBS
News].
Q. I'm just wondering, sir, if you're taking a look at the path
that's been laid and said, it walks like a duck.
The President. It what--it walks like what? [Laughter]
Note: The President spoke at 2:04 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
House. In his remarks, he referred to Representative William M. Thomas,
chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means; Senator Charles Grassley,
chairman, Senate Committee on Finance; Treasury Secretary-designate Paul
H. O'Neill; and Gov. Gray Davis of California. The President also
referred to ANWR, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A tape was not
available for verification of the content of these remarks.
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Monday, February 5, 2001
Volume 37--Number 5
Pages 231-255
Week Ending Friday, February 2, 2001
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Bipartisan Congressional Leaders and an
Exchange With Reporters
January 29, 2001
Legislative Agenda
The President. I'm continuing a series of meetings I'm going to have
with Members
[[Page 239]]
of the Congress. I'm very serious about sitting down as often as
possible with people from both parties to have frank discussions about
issues that concern the country. I believe there is a very good
opportunity for us to exceed expectations.
Expectations are that nothing will get done. I'm confident that the
people here in Washington and Members of the Senate don't agree with
that. We're going to talk about education, and we're going to talk about
taxes. We'll talk about the patients' bill of rights--a variety of
issues that are of concern, and what we call front burner issues, issues
that should be making it through the Congress soon.
I want to thank the Members for coming. I'm honored that they would
come down from the Hill to visit the Vice President and me. Thanks for
coming.
Q. I have one question about----
The President. I'll catch you tomorrow. You missed your chance at
the third press availability. [Laughter]
Q. When are you going to do your first news conference, Mr.
President?
The President. These mini-news conferences count. [Laughter]
Note: The President spoke at 5:32 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these
remarks.
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Monday, February 5, 2001
Volume 37--Number 5
Pages 231-255
Week Ending Friday, February 2, 2001
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Blueprint for
Assistance To Help Medicare Beneficiaries Buy Prescription Drugs
January 29, 2001
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
Enclosed please find the blueprint for my program to provide
immediate assistance to help certain Medicare beneficiaries buy
prescription drugs. I look forward to working with the Congress to enact
these principles into law and to working together on comprehensive
Medicare reform.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush
Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the
Senate.
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Monday, February 5, 2001
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