Remarks at the Conclusion of a Meeting With the Democratic Congressional Leadership to Discuss Energy and Economic Programs

The Democratic leadership in the House and the Senate have met with me and my advisers for the last hour and 15 or 20 minutes, and we have been discussing the proposal that has come from the majority party in the House as well as in the Senate on the necessary actions to take in our economic problems as well as the energy difficulties.

In January, I submitted to the Congress my proposals, or the Administration proposals, in energy and the economy. There are some differences as to details, but we all agree, both Democrats and Republicans, that we have to solve the economic problems of this country and we have to solve the energy problems.

I have agreed to study the plan submitted by the Democratic leadership, and on Monday--if not before--I will indicate to the Speaker and to Senator Mansfield where I think we can find an area of agreement, of accommodation. The Republican leadership I will talk to later. I have an obligation to discuss the matter with them. I do not think there will be any disagreement as to the need for action and the need for accommodation and compromise.

There has been a suggestion made that I postpone the imposition of the dollar import levy that is scheduled to go on on March 1. This is a possible area of compromise. I can assure you, speaking for myself and, I am sure, for my associates, that we are willing to sit down and find an answer with the Democratic leaders of the House as well as the Senate, because the most important thing is what is good for the country, both on the economic front and the energy front as well. Mr. Speaker, would you like to say anything?

THE SPEAKER. I just simply want to say that I think you have stated the general purpose and tenor of the meeting, Mr. President, and I thank you.

THE PRESIDENT. Senator Mansfield.

SENATOR MIKE MANSFIELD. Mr. President, I want to join with the Speaker in what he said, to express my disappointment that your experts have not had a chance to really study our program, and I look forward to this being the first of a series of meetings at which we can sit down and discuss a common problem, a national problem. And I would hope that, eventually, we will reach the stage where the bipartisan leadership could be called in so that together we could work out a program which would be the most beneficial to the Nation.

As far as economics is concerned, I do not know too much about it, but I do know that we are in trouble, and I do know that we have to work together, and I do know we have to do something.

THE PRESIDENT. I would like to emphasize--and I think this is the unanimous view--that the most important problem is for immediate action, the quickest possible action, to stimulate the economy and to get the country moving so we have jobs and we have a better economic environment, and we will work together to achieve that end and that objective.

Thank you very much.

REPORTER. Mr. President, you said you were thinking of postponing this thing; doesn't it start tomorrow? You would have to postpone it by some time tonight--the next dollar on the oil tariff.

THE PRESIDENT. There is the right to amend that proclamation at any time.

Q. We could go back on it.

THE PRESIDENT. Yes.

Q. Mr. President, you were quoted this morning as saying, "Where is the plan?" in terms of not being enough. Now, do you feel that the Democrats do have what you could call a comprehensive plan?

THE PRESIDENT. The Democrats have submitted a plan which is carefully thought out. It does not agree in some details with ours, but I think it is a plan. And it can possibly be meshed with ours, and we certainly will work to achieve some accommodation.

Q. It is enough of a start to work now toward a compromise?

THE PRESIDENT. Yes. Thank you very much.