THE House Ways and Means Committee, led by Chairman Mills, has developed a General Revenue Sharing bill which essentially incorporated the fundamental principles I have advocated. Recent reports, however, suggest that a logjam on appropriation bills may develop during June and July. This prospect, together with the forecast of a short session, suggests that the Senate might not have time to act upon General Revenue Sharing during this Congress.
The serious fiscal crisis facing State and local governments requires action by this Congress. I am confident that the House will pass General Revenue Sharing by a large majority, and it is essential that this be done quickly. If we are to meet the pressing needs of our nation, I urge you and other members of the House leadership to call the Committee's bill to the Floor this month.
Sincerely,
RICHARD NIXON
Note: This is the text of identical letters addressed to the Honorable Carl Albert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honorable Hale Boggs, Majority Leader, and the Honorable Gerald R. Ford, Minority Leader. The letters were dated May 11, 1972, and released May 13.
On May 12, John D. Ehrlichman, Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs, held a news briefing on the general revenue sharing bill, tax reform, and Government reorganization. A transcript of the news briefing was released by the White House on May 13.
Richard Nixon, Letter to Congressional Leaders Urging Action on the General Revenue Sharing Bill. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/254762