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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 9, 2001

Remarks by the President in Photo Opportunity with the Cabinet
The Cabinet Room

9:15 A.M. EDT

     THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning.  I'm discussing the budget we're sending to  the  Hill  today,  with  my  Cabinet.   It's a budget that protects tax payers,   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,  $1  billion  increase  for  Pell  Grants  for low income students,  $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 $75 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 known for 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'll be glad to answer questions.

     Q     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 that they are hostages?

     THE  PRESIDENT:   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.

     Q    Is there any more that you can do or say, sir?

     THE  PRESIDENT:   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.

     Q    Is there anything else you can do?  You said a week ago that it's time  for  them  to  come home.  They're still not home.  What else can the President of the United States do to bring our people home?

     THE  PRESIDENT:   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              9:19 A.M. EDT