1996 State Of The Union Address
This speech occurred shortly after the federal government shutdown of 1995 and 1996 which had resulted from disagreements on the 1996 United States federal budget.
President Clinton discussed the economy and declared that "the era of big government is over," and continued, "but we cannot go back to the time when our citizens were left to fend for themselves. We must go forward as one America, one nation working together, to meet the challenges we face together. Self-reliance and teamwork are not opposing virtues -- we must have both." The president discussed welfare reform, the V-chip, education, community policing, crime, the environment, foreign relations, and the federal budget.
The Republican Party response was delivered by Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas (who would go on to face Clinton in the 1996 presidential election). Dole stated that "[President Clinton] is the chief obstacle to a balanced budget and the balanced budget amendment... While the President's words speak of change, his deeds are a contradiction. President Clinton claims to embrace the future while clinging to the policies of the past."
Donna Shalala, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, served as the designated survivor.
See also
References
- ^ Mitchell, Alison (January 24, 1996). "Clinton Offers Challenge To Nation, Declaring 'The Era of Big Government is Over'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2011.
- ^ "THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE BY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ROBERT DOLE". PBS. January 23, 1996. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ USA Today, Page A12. Feb 5, 1997
External links
- "House of Representatives" (PDF). Congressional Record. 142 (8). Washington, DC: United States Government Publishing Office: H768–H772. January 23, 1996. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- "1996 State of the Union Address". C-SPAN. January 23, 1996. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- "State of the Union Response". C-SPAN. January 23, 1996. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
- 1996 State of the Union Response (transcript)