For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 16, 2006

President Meets with Members of Congress, Discusses Line-Item Veto
The Cabinet Room

	President's Remarks

10:00 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: It's been my pleasure to host Republicans and Democrats from both the House and the Senate here to talk about budget reform. We're talking about the way to -- for the executive branch and the legislative branch to work in a cooperative fashion to help make sure that the appropriations bill be passed or meet priorities; that they are -- that the process is transparent; that we're able to say to the American people, we care about how we spend your money.

Part of the budget reform process is a line-item veto. I want to thank the members here who have come, who have offered not only constructive advice, but practical applications of the line-item veto so that it becomes law. And I listened carefully to some constructive suggestions from both Republicans and Democrats as to how to get a piece of legislation passed. The American people expect all of us from both parties to work diligently as to how we spend their money. And one way that we can earn the confidence of the people is to pass a line-item veto.

And again, I want to thank the members for being here. It means a lot that people from both parties are here. I particularly want to thank my opponent in the 2004 campaign, Senator Kerry, for being here. I can remember on the campaign trail, he said that he supported a line-item veto, and he is following through on his word by being here at the table. I'm proud you're here, Senator.

Thank you all for coming.

END 10:01 A.M. EST