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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release November 20, 1997

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM
THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

November 20, 1997

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

In accordance with the Line Item Veto Act, I hereby cancel the dollar amounts of discretionary budget authority, as specified in the attached reports, contained in the "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998" (H.R. 2160). I have determined that the cancellation of these amounts will reduce the Federal budget deficit, will not impair any essential Government functions, and will not harm the national interest. This letter, together with its attachments, constitutes a special message under section 1022 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, as amended.

Sincerely,

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

# # #

Cancellation No. 97-77

Cancellation No. 97-77 CANCELLATION OF
DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY Report Pursuant to the Line Item Veto Act, P.L. 104-130

Bill Citation: "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998" (H.R. 2160)

1(A). Dollar Amount of Discretionary Budget Authority: $900 thousand for Biocontrol and Insect Rearing Laboratory, Stoneville, Mississippi, on p.41 of House Report 105-252, dated September 17, 1997.

1(B). Determinations: This cancellation will reduce the Federal budget deficit, will not impair any essential Government functions, and will not harm the national interest.

1(C), (E). Reasons for Cancellation; Facts, Circumstances, and Considerations Relating to or Bearing upon the Cancellation; and Estimated Effect of Cancellation on Objects, Purposes, and Programs: USDA's Agriculture Research Service (ARS) currently conducts insect mass rearing/augmentative biological control research at the State-owned Gast Facility in Starkville, Mississippi. The Gast Facility has been used for the mass propagation of insect pests and biological control agents for several decades, and this grant would provide funding to renovate the facility. The project is being canceled because: (1) it was not requested in the President's FY 1998 Budget; (2) these funds would provide for planning of this facility and would require additional future appropriations for construction ($12.9 million); (3) ARS conducts insect rearing at nearly 30 other locations; and (4) the need for additional research facilities is under review by the Strategic Planning Task Force mandated by the 1996 Farm Bill to review potential consolidations of Federal agricultural research facilities. The Task Force report is due in April 1999.

1(D). Estimated Fiscal, Economic, and Budgetary Effect of Cancellation: As a result of the cancellation, Federal outlays will not increase, as specified below. This will have a commensurate effect on the Federal budget deficit and, to that extent, will have a beneficial effect on the economy.

Outlay Changes (in thousands of dollars)

FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003-2007 Total

-400 -500 --- --- --- --- -900

1(F). Adjustments to Non-Defense Discretionary Spending Limits Budget authority: -$900 thousand in FY 1998 Outlays: The estimated outlay effect for each year is shown above.

Evaluation of Effects of These Adjustments upon Sequestration Procedures: If a sequestration were required, such sequestration would occur at levels that are reduced by the amounts above.

2(A). Agency: Department of Agriculture 2(A). Bureau: Agricultural Research Service 2(A). Governmental Function/project (Account): Agricultural Research and Services/Biocontrol and Insect Rearing Laboratory, Stoneville, Mississippi (Buildings and Facilities)

2(B). States and Congressional Districts Affected: Mississippi, 2nd Congressional District

2(C). Total Number of Cancellations (inclusive) in Current Session in each State and District identified above: Mississippi: three; 2nd District: two

Cancellation No. 97-78

CANCELLATION OF
DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY Report Pursuant to the Line Item Veto Act, P.L. 104-130

Bill Citation: "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998" (H.R. 2160)

1(A). Dollar Amount of Discretionary Budget Authority: $600 thousand for the Poisonous Plant Laboratory, Logan, Utah, on page 42 of House Report 105-252 dated September 17, 1997.

1(B). Determinations: This cancellation will reduce the Federal budget deficit, will not impair any essential Government functions, and will not harm the national interest.

1(C), (E). Reasons for Cancellation; Facts, Circumstances, and Considerations Relating to or Bearing upon the Cancellation; and Estimated Effect of Cancellation on Objects, Purposes, and Programs: The funds would be used for planning and design of an office and laboratory building to house the staff of the Poisonous Plants Laboratory, an Agricultural Research Service (USDA) facility in Logan, Utah. A new facility would replace an existing, aged building that has been expanded periodically. The Poisonous Plants Laboratory's mission is to strengthen the livestock industry by reducing economic losses caused by poisoning. The project is being canceled because: (1) it was not requested in the President's FY 1998 Budget; (2) these funds would provide for planning of this facility and would require additional future appropriations for construction ($4.8 million); and (3) the need for additional research facilities is under review by the Strategic Planning Task Force mandated by the 1996 Farm Bill to review potential consolidations of Federal agricultural research facilities. The Task Force report is due in April 1999.

Outlay Changes (in thousands of dollars)

FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003-07 Total

-300 -300 --- --- --- --- -600

1(F). Adjustments to Non-Defense Discretionary Spending Limits Budget authority: -$600 thousand in FY 1998 Outlays: The estimated outlay effect for each year is shown above.

Evaluation of Effects of These Adjustments upon Sequestration Procedures: If a sequestration were required, such sequestration would occur at levels that are reduced by the amounts above.

2(A). Agency: Department of Agriculture 2(A). Bureau: Agricultural Research Service 2(A). Governmental Function/Project (Account): Agricultural Research and Services/Poisonous Plant Laboratory, Logan, Utah (Buildings and Facilities)

2(B). States and Congressional Districts Affected: Utah, 1st Congressional District

2(C). Total Number of Cancellations (inclusive) in Current Session in each State and District identified above: Utah: two; 1st District: one

Cancellation No. 97-79

CANCELLATION OF
DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY Report Pursuant to the Line Item Veto Act, P.L. 104-130

Bill Citation: "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998" (H.R. 2160)

1(A). Dollar Amount of Discretionary Budget Authority: $250 thousand for Special Research Grants, project "Dairy, Alaska" on page 43 of House Report 105-252, dated September 17, 1997.

1(B). Determinations: This cancellation will reduce the Federal budget deficit, will not impair any essential Government functions, and will not harm the national interest.

1(C), (E). Reasons for Cancellation; Facts, Circumstances, and Considerations Relating to or Bearing upon the Cancellation; and Estimated Effect of Cancellation on Objects, Purposes, and Programs: Funding for this project at the University of Alaska would support research on high energy and high protein feeds to meet the nutritional requirements of dairy cattle in the State of Alaska. The project is being canceled because: (1) it was not requested in the President's FY 1998 Budget; (2) USDA currently funds a large amount (several million dollars worth) of research on the nutritional requirements of dairy cows that addresses needs of dairy farmers nationwide, whereas this grant focuses on the specific production and economic issues facing the dairy industry in Alaska; (3) the President's Budget proposals emphasize high priority programs in the national interest and competitively-awarded research to ensure that limited financial resources are used to support only the highest quality research; and (4) without this project, the University of Alaska would be able to conduct this research if it chooses to use its federal Hatch Act formula funds.

Outlay Changes (in thousands of dollars)

FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003-07 Total

-25 -75 -75 -50 -25 --- -250

1(F). Adjustments to Non-Defense Discretionary Spending Limits: Budget authority: -$250 thousand in FY 1998 Outlays: The estimated outlay effect for each year is shown above.

Evaluation of Effects of These Adjustments upon Sequestration Procedures: If a sequestration were required, such sequestration would occur at levels that are reduced by the amounts above.

2(A). Agency: Department of Agriculture 2(A). Bureau: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
2(A). Governmental Function/Project (Account): Agricultural Research and Services/Dairy, Alaska (Research and Education Activities)

2(B). States and Congressional Districts Affected: Alaska, At-Large

2(C). Total Number of Cancellations (inclusive) in Current Session in each State and District identified above: Alaska: three

Cancellation No. 97-80

CANCELLATION OF
DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY Report Pursuant to the Line Item Veto Act, P.L. 104-130

Bill Citation: "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998" (H.R. 2160)

1(A). Dollar Amount of Discretionary Budget Authority: $140 thousand for Special Research Grants, project "Hydroponic Tomato Production, Ohio" on page 43 of House Report 105-252, dated September 17, 1997.

1(B). Determinations: This cancellation will reduce the Federal budget deficit, will not impair any essential Government functions, and will not harm the national interest.

1(C), (E). Reasons for Cancellation; Facts, Circumstances, and Considerations Relating to or Bearing upon the Cancellation; and Estimated Effect of Cancellation on Objects, Purposes, and Programs: The purpose of this Ohio State University project is to develop and demonstrate state-of-the-art hydroponic technology, solar greenhouses, and Internet tools to achieve year-round tomato growing systems that are capable of consistently producing high-quality, pesticide-free tomatoes for consumers. The project is being canceled because: (1) it was not requested in the President's FY 1998 Budget; (2) the President's Budget proposals emphasize high priority programs in the national interest and competitively-awarded research to ensure that limited financial resources are used to support only the highest quality research; and (3) Ohio State University has been conducting hydroponic tomato research for approximately thirty years, and would be able to conduct this project if it chooses to use its federal Hatch Act formula funds or other resources.

Outlay Changes (in thousands of dollars)

FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003-07 Total

-14 -42 -42 -28 -14 --- -140

1(F). Adjustments to Non-Defense Discretionary Spending Limits: Budget authority: -$140 thousand in FY 1998 Outlays: The estimated outlay effect for each year is shown above.

Evaluation of Effects of These Adjustments upon Sequestration Procedures: If a sequestration were required, such sequestration would occur at levels that are reduced by the amounts above.

2(B). States and Congressional Districts Affected: Ohio, 12th Congressional District

2(C). Total Number of Cancellations (inclusive) in Current Session in each State and District identified above: Ohio: one; 12th District: one

Cancellation No. 97-81

CANCELLATION OF
DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY Report Pursuant to the Line Item Veto Act, P.L. 104-130

Bill Citation: "Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998" (H.R. 2160)

1(A). Dollar Amount of Discretionary Budget Authority: $50 thousand for Special Research Grants, project "Plant Genome Research, Ohio" on page 43 of House Report 105-252, dated September 17, 1997.

1(B). Determinations: This cancellation will reduce the Federal budget deficit, will not impair any essential Government functions, and will not harm the national interest.

1(C), (E). Reasons for Cancellation; Facts, Circumstances, and Considerations Relating to or Bearing upon the Cancellation; and Estimated Effect of Cancellation on Objects, Purposes, and Programs: This project at Ohio State University would support the development of a "Bacterial Artificial Chromosome" (BAC) database constructed using Tripsacum dactyloides, a wild variety of corn. The availability of a BAC Tripsacum database would facilitate the map-based cloning of those genes regulating hybrid vigor. The project is being canceled because: (1) it was not requested in the President's FY 1998 Budget; (2) the President's Budget Proposals emphasize higher priority programs in the national interest and competitively-awarded research to ensure that limited financial resources are used to support only the highest quality research; (3) without this project, Ohio State University (at which the library would be maintained) could conduct this research using its federal Hatch Act formula funds, or the principal investigator could compete for the $40 million available in FY 1998 through the National Science Foundation for plant genome research.

Outlay Changes (in thousands of dollars)

FY 1998 FY 1999 FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002 FY 2003-07 Total

-5 -15 -15 -10 -5 --- -50

1(F). Adjustments to Non-Defense Discretionary Spending Limits: Budget authority: -$50 thousand in FY 1998 Outlays: The estimated outlay effect for each year is shown above.

Evaluation of Effects of These Adjustments upon Sequestration Procedures: If a sequestration were required, such sequestration would occur at levels that are reduced by the amounts above.

2(B). States and Congressional Districts Affected: Ohio, 12th Congressional District

2(C). Total Number of Cancellations (inclusive) in Current Session in each State and District identified above: Ohio: two; 12th District: two