White House Statement on
the President's Request To Transfer Funds for Critical
Federal Programs
The
President today requested the Congress to transfer funds to critical programs,
make other offsetting reductions, and provide additional support for some
entitlement programs, such as veterans. This request is fully in accord with
our 2-year bipartisan budget agreement.
These
transfers are few, but of critical importance. First, the Coast Guard is
currently hampered in its drug interdiction efforts because the Congress failed
to appropriate sufficient funds. This change would restore $60 million to allow
the Coast Guard to maintain its efforts to stop drugs from entering this
country. Second, within the Department of Justice, program revisions are
necessary to cover ongoing expenses as a result of the Mariel
Cuban prison riots. A budget amendment for FY 1989 is also included to provide
for the reconstruction of these prisons. Third, NASA's request is necessary to
support additional personnel for shuttle recovery operations -- personnel
previously approved by the Congress. And fourth, the Small Business
Administration is experiencing an unforeseen demand for disaster loans.
In
addition to these transfers, other changes are needed to make additional funds
available. For example, unanticipated currency fluctuations have severely
depleted accounts for the Board for International Broadcasting. The Department
of Defense requires additional authority to reprogram funds later in the year
for INF verification. This request also includes several entitlement programs
that are not under the control of the appropriations committees nor subject to
the strictures of the budget agreement. There are several veterans' programs,
including replenishment of the revolving fund for housing loans,
that require immediate action. Finally, the judiciary is requesting $57
million in additional funding to cover FY 1988 pay raises. The executive branch
is required by law to simply transmit this request without review or alteration.
As
with the President's FY 1989 budget submission, this package complies fully
with the budget agreement. The President urges the Congress to act
expeditiously on this request while maintaining the integrity of our 2-year
budget plan.