Lawrence Ari Fleischer

“ The White House looks forward to Congress reviewing the same issues that the President looked at in terms of how to advance science and lead to medical breakthroughs in a way that represents the moral fiber of our nation -- people who are concerned about research that comes at the price of destroying embryos. ”

“ Historically, downturns last of one year, one and a arter. It's unusual for them to go much beyond one and a half years. The combination of the Federal Reserve interest rates cuts, in concert with the tax cuts, which are now making their way through the economy, leads the President to believe that all the fundamentals are in place for the economy to come back and come back nicely. ”

“ The President this afternoon will be meeting with Minority Leader Lott and Majority Leader Daschle to talk about the fall agenda and the President's hopes that progress can be made on a host of legislative priorities that focus on the economy, education, opportunities and security -- security meaning health security, Social Security, and national security. It's a very busy fall agenda, but there are a lot of strong prospects for bipartisan accomplishment. ”

“ After accounting for $100 billion increase in spending, the government still has a surplus in its operating accounts after spending, an additional $100 billion on important government priorities. Q That surplus is $2 billion this year, $1 billion the next year -- that's not a lot of wiggle room, and it sounds like you're saying my way or the highway, either it's my priorities and Congress really doesn't get a share in saying what to do with that tiny extra surplus. And if they step over the line, it's their fault. ”

“ Helen, countering the threat of biological weapons is an administration priority and has been a priority of the United States government for a number of years. Unfortunately, the biological weapons threat around the world is growing and it presents a real challenge to the United States, particularly a challenge in terms of protecting our men and women in the Armed Forces. ”

“ The President believes that Congress should take up trade promotion authority and pass it this fall. The President thinks failure to pass trade promotion authority this fall would be a retreat from the United States' role in the world. That would hurt the economy and it would be an unwise delay that could hinder their chances of getting trade promotion authority passed. ”

“ There is no question, economically speaking, that that has been the history of capital gains tax cuts, that they do lead to a short-term boost in revenue. And estimators will differ about the long-term effects, whether they lose money or gain money over a sustained period of time. ”

“ I think it's a reflection of the complicated nature of immigration issues, that all good intentions are also met by a very interesting reality on the ground, involving the rights of people to come to the United States and the obligations on people to come here legally, while recognizing that America has benefitted nicely from millions of people who have come here, who pay taxes here and are contributing to the American economy. ”

“ Q And also, in your concern for the economy, why does -- or does the White House feel that funding that -- if you fund legislative priorities by using the Social Security surplus, that would have an adverse effect on the economy? ”

“ Q Over the weekend, I believe, Conrad had also said that capital gains could be a stimulative measure, and as you know, Senator Lott has suggested only a two-year, not a permanent, but a two-year short-term capital gains cut which, arguably, might not need revenue to gain revenue. Is the White House more amenable to a short-term capital gains cut than trying to do something permanent? ”

“ So built into the budget is growth and spending at reasonable levels. If Congress goes beyond those reasonable levels, and spends too much, then it risks Social Security, and it can have a detrimental effect on the economy. Q The Senate Minority Leader plans to ask for the President's support of capital gains tax cut. Does the President think a capital gains tax would stimulate the economy? ”

“ The President will also call on Senator Daschle today and others to support trade promotion authority. Many of the best-paying jobs in America are trade-related jobs, and it's very important for Congress to send a signal that they, too, care about the economy, and that's why trade promotion authority is important. Q But it's far from clear that the tax cut is going to jump-start the economy. ”

“ The President intends to nominate Donald W. Washington to be United States attorney for the western district of Louisiana. The President intends to nominate Thomas DiBiagio to be United States attorney for the district of Maryland. The President intends to nominate Jeffrey Gilbert Collins to be United States attorney for the eastern district of Michigan. The President intends to nominate Gregory Gordon Lockhart to be United States attorney for the southern district of Ohio. ”

“ And as a result, we have a broad defense -- bio-defense capability, that includes medical countermeasures, detectors and protective systems, all of which are designed to protect American citizenry and American servicemen and women. ”

“ There is no question that the law is clear on that matter, and that any foreign entity that is involved in the transfer of controlled ballistic missile technology to what is called non-missile technology control regime countries -- and that's what happened in this case -- must be sanctioned. ”

“ That would be the budget for 2003. Q Ari, can you describe the phone call that the President apparently got from Senator Gramm? MR. FLEISCHER: He has not talked to Senator Gramm. Q Will this discussion with Senator Daschle this afternoon -- will this be sort of an intense discussion, or is it just two potential fighters feeling each other out? MR. FLEISCHER: This is part of their regular consultation. They -- I'm sorry? Q Are they coming to each other with a lot of numbers? ”