University of Virginia Library

Congress In Trap

Mr. Scott said Congress is
"doing this because they're
caught in a trap, in a bind.
They promised too much to
the people. It's easier to say
that they voted it and the
President won't let them spend
the money. So they'll go to
court and try to get it back."

"Congress is going to lose
this round," he said. "They're
on a sticky wicket and a losing
one. They they will blame the
Supreme Court. Congress is
going to lose because the
people would rather see the
President stick to his guns and
do what he has promised."

When later asked why the
President has impounded funds

designated to help the
environment, Mr. Scott said
there are substantial funds for
environmental protection.
"The President feels that the
amount appropriated is more
than needs to be spent in one
year. He hasn't canceled or
destroyed the program," he
claimed.

Mr. Scott does not agree
with some of the priorities
which the President has set for
impoundment of funds. "I
would have tried to get close to
$2 billion from the defense
department and I protest the
two per cent feature in rural
electrification."

The Senator defended the
President's use of executive
privilege saying it "can only be
asserted by the President in
writing; it can't be delegated
by custom." Mr. Scott said the
President has exercised this
privilege only three times in
the past four years. In
comparison, President
Kennedy utilized executive
privilege six times in three
years.