October 6, 1997

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T H E W H I T E H O U S E

October 6, 1997

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PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE CONVENE
A CONFERENCE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The President and Vice President convened The White House Conference on Climate Change: The Challenge of Global Warming, which included discussions on the scientific, technological, international and economic aspects of climate change. The Conference included some 200 people representing a broad range of interests, including: industry, organized labor, the environmental and scientific communities, leading economists, Congress, and state and local officials.

The President and Vice President Led a Panel on the Science of Climate Change. Leading scientists discussed the compelling scientific evidence that increasing greenhouse gas emissions are changing our climate. Furthermore, the scientists warned that climate change will speed up in the next century unless we take steps now to cut down on these emissions. The dangers of climate change include increasing floods, droughts and extreme heat waves of the kind that killed 465 people in Chicago in 1995.

The President and Vice President also Led a Panel on the Role of Technology in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. President Clinton and Vice President Gore heard from business leaders that the United States can cut down its greenhouse gas emissions without harming economic growth, by moving to more efficient forms of energy production.

The White House Climate Change Conference is part of the Administration's ongoing effort to educate the American people about the issue and is designed to help inform the development of U.S. policy.

PRESIDENT CLINTON USES THE LINE ITEM VETO FOR 38 PROJECTS
IN THE FY 1998 MILITARY CONSTRUCTION APPROPRIATIONS ACT

Today, the President used his line item veto power to save taxpayers nearly $290 million. President Clinton line-item vetoed 38 projects in the Military Construction Appropriations Act of 1998 using the authority given him in the Line Item Veto Act. Under the Act, the President is authorized to cancel tax and spending items if he determines that cancellation will reduce the Federal budget deficit, not impair any essential government functions, and not harm the national interest.

The Bill Included 145 Projects Not Requested by the President. The President line-item vetoed projects that he did not request in his FY 1998 Budget, that are unlikely to begin construction in FY 98, and most importantly, would not substantially improve the quality of life of military service members and their families.

The President's Action Will Do Nothing to Undercut Our National Security, theReadiness of our Forces or their Operations in Defense of our Nation. In fact, none of the 38 projects the President line-item vetoed were requested by the Pentagon.

October 6, 1997