President | Vice President | First Lady | Mrs. Cheney | News & Policies History & Tours | Kids | Your Government | Appointments | Jobs | Contact | Graphic version
Email Updates | Español | Accessibility | Search | Privacy Policy | Help
For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryOctober 4, 2001
President Unveils Back to Work Plan Department of Labor Washington, D.C.
The Back to Work Relief Package View the President's Remarks 1:40 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all very much for that warm welcome. I'm glad to be in the midst of patriots, people who love their country and people willing to work hard to help our fellow Americans who may be in need. First, I want to thank Elaine Chao for her leadership. I knew I picked a good one when I picked her to become the Secretary of Labor, and she's proven me right. (Applause.) And my old governor buddy is doing a pretty good job, too. (Applause.) I appreciate the hard work of our Cabinet during this period. Like the country, we're united. We know we've got a job to do. The evildoers struck, but they may have hurt our buildings, and they are obviously affecting some family lives in such a profound and sad way. But they will not touch the soul of America. They cannot dim our spirit. (Applause.) We've got a job to do, all of us. And I'm here to thank you in the Department of Labor for your hard work, your concern for your fellow Americans. All of us, from the President all the way throughout our government, must be diligent and strong and unwavering in our determination and our dedication to win the war on terrorism. I've got a job to do, and that's to explain to the American people the truth. And the truth is that we're now facing a new threat for freedom; that on September 11th, war was declared on the United States, not by a religious group, not by one country versus another, but by people motivated by evil. And I'm going to make it clear to the world what I made clear to America, that this great country will not let evil stand. (Applause.) The attack on our land roused a might nation. We've never been united like we have been -- as we are today. And we're examining a lot of things. We're examining, as moms and dads, what it means to be a parent. There are many Americans on bended knee from all different religions, praying to an almighty God. We're a nation united in our conviction that we must find those evildoers and bring them to justice. We seek not revenge in America, we seek justice. (Applause.) Americans understand that this is a different type of campaign; it's a different type of struggle to defeat an enemy that's sometimes hard to see, and sometimes hard to find. But what the enemy has found out is we're a determined people, and we're patient, and we will do what it takes to bring them to justice. We built a vast coalition of nations from all around the world to join us -- nations which understand that what happened in New York and Washington could happen to them, as well. They understand it's now time to unite to defeat evil. Each nation comes with a different set of capabilities and a different set of -- a different willingness to help. America says, we don't care how you help, just help. Either you're for us, or you're against us. (Applause.) And the progress to date has been positive, really positive. We've got nations around the world willing to join us in cutting off the money of the evil ones. Our attitude is, if they can't fund evil deeds, they're not going to be able to affect freedom. And so we're talking to countries and banks and financial institutions, and saying either you're with us, or against us: cut off their money. We're applying diplomatic pressure from around the world. I promise you this: I will enforce the doctrine that says that if you house a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists themselves. (Applause.) This is our calling. This is our nation's time to lead the world, and we're going to do that. And we must do so in a bold and strong, and determined fashion. We will not waver. I fully understand, as I said to Congress, there will be times when people feel a sense of normalcy -- and I hope that happens sooner rather than later -- and that September 11th may be a distant memory to some. But not to me, and not to this nation. Now is the time -- now is the time to root out evil so that our children and grandchildren can live with freedom as the beacon all around the world. The evildoers cost America a lot of lives. And for the two here in the Labor Department, I say, we will get justice, and we grieve with you -- two good folks who suffer as a result of September the 11th. I can't tell you how many people are praying for you and praying for the victims all across America; people you can't even imagine, can't even -- will never know are on bended knee. And they've also changed a lot of lives, these evil actions. It's clear, as a result of today's new unemployment claims, that the attack of September the 11th sent a shock wave throughout our economy. And we need to do something about it. And I'm going to lead the Congress in a way that provides the help and stimulus necessary for there to be economic growth. It is not time to worry about partisan politics here in America. It is time for our government to continue to work together -- to say, we hear the cries of those who have been laid off; we worry about the shock waves throughout our economy, and instead of talking, we're going to do something about it. And we've started. We have started. There are $40 billion of tax rebates that have been disbursed over the last months. That should help our economy. The Congress came together and passed $15 billion in emergency help for airlines, and $40 billion in supplemental spending that will help New York rebuild herself, and will be a part of a means for enhancing our economic growth. But there's more to do. Now is not the time to be timid, it's the time to be wise. It's also the time to act. And that's why yesterday the Secretary of Treasury and I both said that we need to have more stimulus available. We need for there to be more tax cuts. I want to remind my fellow Americans that starting next year, there will be $70 billion additional of tax reductions and larger child credits coming as a result of the tax package we passed and I signed. So there's stimulus available. (Applause.) But I look forward to working with Congress in the interim, between now and when those tax cuts kick in, to do more. I think we must do more. I know we must do more to make sure that our economy gets started. (Applause.) And I'm going to ask Congress to ask this question: Will what I vote for encourage economic growth? Not, will it make me look better at home, or will it satisfy a narrow constituency, but will my vote stimulate economic vitality and growth. That's the question that Americans are asking when we vote on a tax reduction package. And that's the question I will be asking. I strongly believe we need to make sure that consumer confidence stays high, by giving people more of their own money back. (Applause.) We need to counter the shock wave of the evildoer by having individual rate cuts accelerated and by thinking about tax rebates. Secondly, in order to make sure our economy grows within the $60 billion to $75 billion that we've -- the parameters of which we outlined, we need to make sure we have investment incentives for U.S. businesses, both large and small. (Applause.) Not only should we make sure that the individual consumer confidence remains high, but that we've got to understand that by encouraging investment, it will encourage employment. And one of the things that Elaine mentioned is that you're a department that makes sure that people find work. We've got to have good policy coming out of Congress to make sure that when you work hard to help people find work, there's a stimulus package that does so. People say, well, why did you say that the parameters ought to be $60 billion to $75 billion? Well, one, we think that's the right size to encourage growth without affecting the economy in the long-term. And secondly, I think it makes sense to have parameters, so that Congress doesn't feel like it has to invent a series of new programs in order to stimulate economic growth. We know what we need to do. And I look forward to working with both Republicans and Democrats to get it done. It's the right thing for the American people. (Applause.) And there is no question that not only should our government act to encourage economic growth, our government ought to act to take care of people whose lives were affected on September the 11th. We need to move. And I've got some ideas on how we ought to move. First, in the post-attack economy, some workers need more help for more time. So I propose extending the unemployment benefits by 13 weeks in states that have been hardest hit by job losses related to the September 11th attack. (Applause.) This emergency extension will be paid entirely by federal dollars and should remain in place for 18 months. And, secondly, I believe the best way to help people meet health care needs, or job training needs, or income support, is to fund the National Emergency Grant System by an additional $3 billion. (Applause.) This will be federal money that will go to states so they can distribute monies directly to people whose lives have been affected. I urge the Congress as they plan ways to deal with this tragedy to look at the government programs that already exist. We don't have time to try to invent new programs. What we ought to do is make those programs that exist work better. And here's two solutions to do so. (Applause.) And finally, I want to remind governors and folks in the states what Tommy told me earlier today -- Tommy said there's $11 billion available to help states provide health insurance for low-income workers and their families to the S-chip program. It's an important opportunity for states to expand coverage to people whose lives have been severely affected by the September 11th attack. This is a way we can help. This is a set of principles for Congress to work together to help the American people, stimulate growth, and at the same time, take care of the workers whose lives have been impacted by the September 11th attack. And that's what we must do. Because, you see, the terrorists hope to change our way of life. On the one hand, they hope that America would become timid and cower in the face of their barbaric acts. They were wrong. On the other hand, they would hope that we'd become paralyzed and unable to act at home in order to do what's right for the American people. They were wrong again. Instead they have provided interesting opportunities for America. I told some world leaders, through our tears we see opportunity; that we're sad and angry, but we've got a clear vision of the world; that this is a remarkable moment in history which our nation will seize. We'll act boldly at home to encourage economic growth. We'll take care of people who hurt. We will comfort those who lost lives. We'll be compassionate as to how we deal with Afghan citizens, for example, by making sure there's humanitarian aid. And we'll be tough and resolute as we unite, to make sure freedom stands, to rout out evil, to say to our children and grandchildren, we were bold enough to act, without tiring, so that you can live in a great land and in a peaceful world. (Applause.) And there's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail. Failure is not a part of our vocabulary. This great nation will lead the world and we will be successful. Thank you for working for the government. Thank you for caring about our fellow Americans. May God bless you all and your families, and may God bless America. (Applause.) END 1:58 P.M. EDT Printer-Friendly Version Email this page to a friend Afghanistan Africa Budget Management Defense Economy Education Energy Environment Global Diplomacy Health Care Homeland Security Immigration International Trade Iraq Judicial Nominations Middle East National Security Veterans more issues News Current News Press Briefings Proclamations Executive Orders Radio Setting the Record Straight more news July 2007 | June 2007 | May 2007 | April 2007 | March 2007 | February 2007 News by Date | February 2007 | January 2007 | December 2006 | November 2006 | October 2006 | September 2006 | August 2006 | July 2006 | June 2006 | May 2006 | April 2006 | March 2006 | February 2006 | January 2006 | December 2005 | November 2005 | October 2005 | September 2005 | August 2005 | July 2005 | June 2005 | May 2005 | April 2005 | March 2005 | February 2005 | January 2005 | December 2004 | November 2004 | October 2004 | September 2004 | August 2004 | July 2004 | June 2004 | May 2004 | April 2004 | March 2004 | February 2004 | January 2004 | December 2003 | November 2003 | October 2003 | September 2003 | August 2003 | July 2003 | June 2003 | May 2003 | April 2003 | March 2003 | February 2003 | January 2003 | December 2002 | November 2002 | October 2002 | September 2002 | August 2002 | July 2002 | June 2002 | May 2002 | April 2002 | March 2002 | February 2002 | January 2002 | December 2001 | November 2001 | October 2001 | September 2001 | August 2001 | July 2001 | June 2001 | May 2001 | April 2001 | March 2001 | February 2001 | January 2001 Appointments Nominations Federal Facts | Federal Statistics West Wing | History
1:40 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all very much for that warm welcome. I'm glad to be in the midst of patriots, people who love their country and people willing to work hard to help our fellow Americans who may be in need.
First, I want to thank Elaine Chao for her leadership. I knew I picked a good one when I picked her to become the Secretary of Labor, and she's proven me right. (Applause.) And my old governor buddy is doing a pretty good job, too. (Applause.) I appreciate the hard work of our Cabinet during this period. Like the country, we're united. We know we've got a job to do.
The evildoers struck, but they may have hurt our buildings, and they are obviously affecting some family lives in such a profound and sad way. But they will not touch the soul of America. They cannot dim our spirit. (Applause.)
We've got a job to do, all of us. And I'm here to thank you in the Department of Labor for your hard work, your concern for your fellow Americans. All of us, from the President all the way throughout our government, must be diligent and strong and unwavering in our determination and our dedication to win the war on terrorism.
I've got a job to do, and that's to explain to the American people the truth. And the truth is that we're now facing a new threat for freedom; that on September 11th, war was declared on the United States, not by a religious group, not by one country versus another, but by people motivated by evil. And I'm going to make it clear to the world what I made clear to America, that this great country will not let evil stand. (Applause.)
The attack on our land roused a might nation. We've never been united like we have been -- as we are today. And we're examining a lot of things. We're examining, as moms and dads, what it means to be a parent. There are many Americans on bended knee from all different religions, praying to an almighty God. We're a nation united in our conviction that we must find those evildoers and bring them to justice. We seek not revenge in America, we seek justice. (Applause.)
Americans understand that this is a different type of campaign; it's a different type of struggle to defeat an enemy that's sometimes hard to see, and sometimes hard to find. But what the enemy has found out is we're a determined people, and we're patient, and we will do what it takes to bring them to justice.
We built a vast coalition of nations from all around the world to join us -- nations which understand that what happened in New York and Washington could happen to them, as well. They understand it's now time to unite to defeat evil. Each nation comes with a different set of capabilities and a different set of -- a different willingness to help. America says, we don't care how you help, just help. Either you're for us, or you're against us. (Applause.)
And the progress to date has been positive, really positive. We've got nations around the world willing to join us in cutting off the money of the evil ones. Our attitude is, if they can't fund evil deeds, they're not going to be able to affect freedom. And so we're talking to countries and banks and financial institutions, and saying either you're with us, or against us: cut off their money.
We're applying diplomatic pressure from around the world. I promise you this: I will enforce the doctrine that says that if you house a terrorist, you're just as guilty as the terrorists themselves. (Applause.) This is our calling. This is our nation's time to lead the world, and we're going to do that. And we must do so in a bold and strong, and determined fashion. We will not waver.
I fully understand, as I said to Congress, there will be times when people feel a sense of normalcy -- and I hope that happens sooner rather than later -- and that September 11th may be a distant memory to some. But not to me, and not to this nation. Now is the time -- now is the time to root out evil so that our children and grandchildren can live with freedom as the beacon all around the world.
The evildoers cost America a lot of lives. And for the two here in the Labor Department, I say, we will get justice, and we grieve with you -- two good folks who suffer as a result of September the 11th. I can't tell you how many people are praying for you and praying for the victims all across America; people you can't even imagine, can't even -- will never know are on bended knee.
And they've also changed a lot of lives, these evil actions. It's clear, as a result of today's new unemployment claims, that the attack of September the 11th sent a shock wave throughout our economy. And we need to do something about it. And I'm going to lead the Congress in a way that provides the help and stimulus necessary for there to be economic growth.
It is not time to worry about partisan politics here in America. It is time for our government to continue to work together -- to say, we hear the cries of those who have been laid off; we worry about the shock waves throughout our economy, and instead of talking, we're going to do something about it.
And we've started. We have started. There are $40 billion of tax rebates that have been disbursed over the last months. That should help our economy. The Congress came together and passed $15 billion in emergency help for airlines, and $40 billion in supplemental spending that will help New York rebuild herself, and will be a part of a means for enhancing our economic growth.
But there's more to do. Now is not the time to be timid, it's the time to be wise. It's also the time to act. And that's why yesterday the Secretary of Treasury and I both said that we need to have more stimulus available. We need for there to be more tax cuts.
I want to remind my fellow Americans that starting next year, there will be $70 billion additional of tax reductions and larger child credits coming as a result of the tax package we passed and I signed. So there's stimulus available. (Applause.)
But I look forward to working with Congress in the interim, between now and when those tax cuts kick in, to do more. I think we must do more. I know we must do more to make sure that our economy gets started. (Applause.) And I'm going to ask Congress to ask this question: Will what I vote for encourage economic growth? Not, will it make me look better at home, or will it satisfy a narrow constituency, but will my vote stimulate economic vitality and growth. That's the question that Americans are asking when we vote on a tax reduction package. And that's the question I will be asking.
I strongly believe we need to make sure that consumer confidence stays high, by giving people more of their own money back. (Applause.) We need to counter the shock wave of the evildoer by having individual rate cuts accelerated and by thinking about tax rebates.
Secondly, in order to make sure our economy grows within the $60 billion to $75 billion that we've -- the parameters of which we outlined, we need to make sure we have investment incentives for U.S. businesses, both large and small. (Applause.)
Not only should we make sure that the individual consumer confidence remains high, but that we've got to understand that by encouraging investment, it will encourage employment. And one of the things that Elaine mentioned is that you're a department that makes sure that people find work. We've got to have good policy coming out of Congress to make sure that when you work hard to help people find work, there's a stimulus package that does so.
People say, well, why did you say that the parameters ought to be $60 billion to $75 billion? Well, one, we think that's the right size to encourage growth without affecting the economy in the long-term. And secondly, I think it makes sense to have parameters, so that Congress doesn't feel like it has to invent a series of new programs in order to stimulate economic growth.
We know what we need to do. And I look forward to working with both Republicans and Democrats to get it done. It's the right thing for the American people. (Applause.) And there is no question that not only should our government act to encourage economic growth, our government ought to act to take care of people whose lives were affected on September the 11th.
We need to move. And I've got some ideas on how we ought to move. First, in the post-attack economy, some workers need more help for more time. So I propose extending the unemployment benefits by 13 weeks in states that have been hardest hit by job losses related to the September 11th attack. (Applause.) This emergency extension will be paid entirely by federal dollars and should remain in place for 18 months.
And, secondly, I believe the best way to help people meet health care needs, or job training needs, or income support, is to fund the National Emergency Grant System by an additional $3 billion. (Applause.) This will be federal money that will go to states so they can distribute monies directly to people whose lives have been affected.
I urge the Congress as they plan ways to deal with this tragedy to look at the government programs that already exist. We don't have time to try to invent new programs. What we ought to do is make those programs that exist work better. And here's two solutions to do so. (Applause.)
And finally, I want to remind governors and folks in the states what Tommy told me earlier today -- Tommy said there's $11 billion available to help states provide health insurance for low-income workers and their families to the S-chip program. It's an important opportunity for states to expand coverage to people whose lives have been severely affected by the September 11th attack.
This is a way we can help. This is a set of principles for Congress to work together to help the American people, stimulate growth, and at the same time, take care of the workers whose lives have been impacted by the September 11th attack.
And that's what we must do. Because, you see, the terrorists hope to change our way of life. On the one hand, they hope that America would become timid and cower in the face of their barbaric acts. They were wrong. On the other hand, they would hope that we'd become paralyzed and unable to act at home in order to do what's right for the American people. They were wrong again.
Instead they have provided interesting opportunities for America. I told some world leaders, through our tears we see opportunity; that we're sad and angry, but we've got a clear vision of the world; that this is a remarkable moment in history which our nation will seize. We'll act boldly at home to encourage economic growth. We'll take care of people who hurt. We will comfort those who lost lives. We'll be compassionate as to how we deal with Afghan citizens, for example, by making sure there's humanitarian aid.
And we'll be tough and resolute as we unite, to make sure freedom stands, to rout out evil, to say to our children and grandchildren, we were bold enough to act, without tiring, so that you can live in a great land and in a peaceful world. (Applause.)
And there's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail. Failure is not a part of our vocabulary. This great nation will lead the world and we will be successful.
Thank you for working for the government. Thank you for caring about our fellow Americans. May God bless you all and your families, and may God bless America. (Applause.)
END 1:58 P.M. EDT
Printer-Friendly Version Email this page to a friend
Afghanistan Africa Budget Management Defense Economy Education Energy Environment Global Diplomacy Health Care Homeland Security Immigration International Trade Iraq Judicial Nominations Middle East National Security Veterans more issues News Current News Press Briefings Proclamations Executive Orders Radio Setting the Record Straight more news July 2007 | June 2007 | May 2007 | April 2007 | March 2007 | February 2007 News by Date | February 2007 | January 2007 | December 2006 | November 2006 | October 2006 | September 2006 | August 2006 | July 2006 | June 2006 | May 2006 | April 2006 | March 2006 | February 2006 | January 2006 | December 2005 | November 2005 | October 2005 | September 2005 | August 2005 | July 2005 | June 2005 | May 2005 | April 2005 | March 2005 | February 2005 | January 2005 | December 2004 | November 2004 | October 2004 | September 2004 | August 2004 | July 2004 | June 2004 | May 2004 | April 2004 | March 2004 | February 2004 | January 2004 | December 2003 | November 2003 | October 2003 | September 2003 | August 2003 | July 2003 | June 2003 | May 2003 | April 2003 | March 2003 | February 2003 | January 2003 | December 2002 | November 2002 | October 2002 | September 2002 | August 2002 | July 2002 | June 2002 | May 2002 | April 2002 | March 2002 | February 2002 | January 2002 | December 2001 | November 2001 | October 2001 | September 2001 | August 2001 | July 2001 | June 2001 | May 2001 | April 2001 | March 2001 | February 2001 | January 2001 Appointments Nominations Federal Facts | Federal Statistics West Wing | History
