For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 5, 2002

President Emphasizes Need for Economic Stimulus
The South Lawn

4:08 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  I was just informed that the Senate will not vote out a stimulus package.  I'm very disappointed.  There's a lot of workers who hurt, and they need help.  Our economy, while there's some good news, needs more stimulus.  I still think we need to pass a bill that will help workers and help stimulate the economy.  You know, we got a good bill out of the House and I believe that we had a good chance to get a good bill out of the Senate last fall, there was enough votes to pass the bill.  And I'm just disappointed.  I think -- I think we need a good stimulus package.

Q    -- for a regular breakfast this week?

THE PRESIDENT:  No, no, we're meeting next week.  But, I mean, I don't need to have a meeting, a breakfast to express my disappointment; I'm disappointed.  I think people need to -- workers need help and I think we need to stimulate the economy with some wise policy.  And we're working hard on this issue.  I talked about it -- gosh, I remember going to the midwest to talk about it; I think I talked about in the midwest right after the attacks.  We've been working with both Republicans and Democrats to try to forge a good package.  You know, I'm just sorry it hasn't happened.  I hope they do reconsider and pass a good bill.

Q    (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT:  I can't hear you.

Q    Are you saying they're not listening?

THE PRESIDENT:  You need to talk to them.  I'm just -- what I'm saying is I'm disappointed we don't have a package.  Workers need help and we need to stimulate the economy.

Thank you all.

END                  4:10 P.M. EST