MR. PRESIDENT, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE RELUCTANCE OF CONGRESS TO SUPPORT YOUR DOMESTIC PROGRAMS?
SOURCE
"Kennedy and the Press: The News Conferences," Edited and annotated by Harold W. Chase and Allen H. Lerman, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, New York, 1965.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On March 21, 1963, President John F. Kennedy held his 52nd news conference in the State Department auditorium. At one point, a reporter began asking a question that was interrupted by the witty POTUS...
"Mr. President. Senator (Clifford) Case* has proposed that a watchdog committee** be created to look into these....."
"To watch the Congressmen and Senators? Well, that will be fine if they feel they should be watched."
Another reporter asked...
"Mr. President, how do you explain the undue reluctance...of Congress to support your domestic programs....?
JFK answered...
"Well...the hospital plan...came to the Rules Committee...(where) it came up for a vote (but)...the bill is tied seven to seven. The seven Democrats voted yes (but Mr. Madden was sick). I hope he has an opportunity to vote on it again, and then maybe we will have some hospitals."
*Clifford P. Case, Jr. (1904-1982) was born in Franklin Park, NJ & educated at Rutgers & Columbia. CPC served in the House of Representatives (1945-1953) & the Senate (1955-1979). He had one of the most liberal voting records of any Republican.
**Watchdog Committee is responsible for monitoring standards of behavior.
SOURCE
"Kennedy and the Press: The News Conferences," Edited and annotated by Harold W. Chase and Allen H. Lerman, Thomas Y. Crowell Company, New York, 1965.
JFK News Conference
State Department Auditorium
JFK Library Photo
