Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 4, 1993 TAG: 9307040075
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press and Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The measure also provides supplemental funds for a number of government programs that have run out of money.
"This bill does not nearly provide what I believe is necessary to help our economy," Clinton said in a statement Saturday. "But every job it creates . . . will make a difference to the people and communities served by this legislation."
Clinton said he signed the legislation late Friday, saying it would mean "that summer jobs will be created, local law enforcement will be able to hire back police laid off during the last recession, and small businesses will be able to expand their payrolls, products and profits."
The bill that Clinton signed Friday contains $3.5 billion in new spending and $2.5 billion in cuts, for a net cost of $1 billion. Among other things, the legislation contains money to pay for U.S. military operations in Somalia and Iraq, veterans' benefits and other programs.
Clinton praised Congress "for developing a supplemental appropriations bill that supports my investment program and meets urgent national needs."
Surviving from Clinton's original jobs measure, killed by Senate Republicans in April:
$341 million for Pell college grants, $1.7 billion less than the president originally wanted.
$220 million for summer jobs, $780 million less than initially sought.
$150 million to hire new police officers, $50 million less.
$175 million for small-business loans, $34 million more than originally proposed.
$70 million for rural water and sewage grants and loans, $280 million less.
$45 million for Amtrak, $143 million less.
Also Saturday, Clinton extended the U.S. moratorium on testing until at least next year.
On the eve of his departure for a foreign trip that will include a meeting with the leaders of countries controlling most of the world's nuclear arsenals, the president said there was a danger the technology would become more widely available.
"A test ban can strengthen our efforts worldwide to halt the spread of nuclear technology in weapons," he said in his weekly radio address.
The "no first test" policy would be extended until September 1994, when it would be reviewed again, with one caveat: The United States could resume testing if another country acted first.
Russia has not tested since last year and favors an extension of the moratorium. France and Britain would like tests to be conducted before a permanent ban goes into effect. France has observed the moratorium and the British have been forced to because the United States conducts tests for them. China's position is not known.
Congress last September ordered a unilateral U.S. testing moratorium until July 1, after which it said the United States could conduct 15 more tests until a permanent ban goes into effect after 1996.
by CNB