Statement on Signing the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1997

I have today signed into law H.R. 3754, the "Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1997."

The Act provides fiscal year 1997 appropriations for the Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of the Capitol, the General Accounting Office, the Government Printing Office, and the Library of Congress.

I am especially pleased to sign into law a provision that will allow blind and visually impaired persons to get earlier access to books and other reading matter. As a result of an agreement between the publishing industry and advocates for people with disabilities, books can now be converted into alternative formats such as Braille as soon as they appear in print. Prior to this change, the Library of Congress and other organizations that sought to provide these materials had to obtain permission from copyright holders on a case by case basis, leading to lengthy delays in access to all types of reading material. This law will help us reach our goal of full inclusion of people with disabilities.

I am also pleased with the provision that encourages the Senate to transfer excess or surplus computers and other educationally useful equipment to public schools at the lowest possible cost. This complements our initiative to encourage Federal agencies to do the same to help integrate technology into school curriculums, and ensure that all students have the skills they will need to succeed in the information-intensive 21st century.

I am disappointed, however, that the Congress has passed up yet another opportunity to establish a drug testing policy for those who work in the legislative branch. The Congress should follow the example of the White House and the other executive branch agencies and establish a comprehensive testing program for illegal drug use.

I urge the Congress to complete action on the remaining regular FY 1997 appropriations bills and to send them to me in an acceptable form.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

The White House,

September 16, 1996.