Clinton Calls GOP ‘Anti-Family’
WASHINGTON — President Clinton said Saturday that congressional Republicans are “anti-family” and declared he would not let stand a House-passed bill to chop or kill dozens of social programs.
Clinton used his weekly radio address to highlight what he considers the hypocrisy of Republicans who talk about family values while slashing taxpayer spending for things such as the Head Start preschool program for poor children.
To contrast Republican policy with his own, Clinton noted that Saturday was the second anniversary of the signing of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows workers to take time off for family or medical emergencies.
In the Republican response, Rep. Edward Whitfield of Kentucky defended the spending cuts, saying the Republicans’ guiding principles were fairness and equity.
“We know some popular programs will be eliminated, but Republicans are willing to make the tough, courageous decisions Democrats are unwilling to make,” Whitfield said.
The Senate has not voted on the spending cuts and may approve a more moderate version to try to avoid a veto.
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