Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
President Bush Meets With Cabinet to Discuss Budget, China Standoff
Aired April 09, 2001 - 09:22 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: In just a couple of seconds here, we're going to be taking you to the White House: videotape that we're just receiving in from President Bush meeting with his Cabinet members at the White House. They allowed cameras in for a little bit. And we will get to some of the discussion taking place.
Do we have that tape ready to go -- or any estimation on when that tape might be ready to go?
All right.
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Another 20 seconds -- this, of course, important -- President Bush with two -- a number of big topics on the table. But we have, namely, still the standoff between the U.S. and China -- and also the president's budget -- details of that just coming out today, about an hour and 20 minutes ago.
It looks like we have the cameras in the White House and ready to go. Let's go ahead and listen to President Bush with his Cabinet members.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning. I'm discussing the budget we're sending to the Hill today with my Cabinet.
It's a budget that protects taxpayers, protects children, protects our surplus. It represents compassionate conservatism. It's a budget that sets priorities. It's a budget that recognizes there are some good programs here in Washington that need to be funded.
For example, the budget provides a $21 million increase for food safety programs, a $1 billion increase for Pell Grants for low-income students, a $350 million increase for child care. We help children whose parents are in prison with a $67 million mentoring program. We increase funding available to prevent child abuse by 66 percent.
We fight crime: $87 million increase for front-line prosecutors.
We give $70 million for project Child Safe, which is a program that provides gun safety locks for families.
It fights corporate subsidies.
It eliminates thousands of one-time earmarked projects. Washington is know for its pork. This budget funds our needs without the fat.
It also represents a new way of doing business in Washington and a new way of thinking. The budget puts the taxpayers first, and that's exactly where they belong.
I'd be glad to answer a question or two.
QUESTION: Mr. President, members of your administration expected the crew to be freed over the weekend. At this point, how can you not agree with Chairman Hyde, who said they're hostages?
BUSH: Well, first, I just talked to General Sealock, who had a good visit with all 24 crew members. His report is that their spirits are very high, that they're doing well. And that's good news.
Secondly, all of us around this table understand diplomacy takes time. But there is a point, the longer it goes, there's a point at which our relations with China could become damaged. And...
QUESTION: Is there anymore that you could do or say, sir?
BUSH: Every day that goes by increases the potential that our relations with China could be damaged. And our hope is that this matter gets resolved quickly.
STAFF: Thank you.
QUESTION: You said a week ago that it's time for them to come home. They're still not home. What else can the...
BUSH: We're working. We're working behind the scenes. We've got every diplomatic channel open. We're in discussions with the Chinese. It is now time for our troops to come home so that our relationship does not become damaged.
Thank you all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Some brief comments there from President Bush from the White House, as he meets with Cabinet members -- the president talking about the release today of his budget proposal: $1.96 trillion.
The scramble is now on, as lobbyists begin to realize just who has been targeted for cuts in that next budget -- also, the president answering questions about the 24 detainees still in China. He's saying -- the president saying that, as time goes on, more possibility that the relationship between the U.S. and China could be damaged -- also mentioned that General Sealock and other diplomats able to once again meet with those detainees again today on Hainan Island. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
