Clinton Says Foes of Stimulus Plan Falsely Portray Proposed Funding

President Clinton on Tuesday accused opponents of his $16.3-billion economic stimulus program of trying to defeat his plan by making false and misleading statements about how the money would be spent.

At a news conference, the President laughed at Republican claims that some of the funds would be spent on such seemingly frivolous items as golf courses, swimming pools and a project to study religion in Sicily.

But it was serious business on Capitol Hill last week when Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), among other opponents of the stimulus program, declared: “Here are some of the ‘emergencies’ that got stuck in this bill: $5 million for a beach parking lot. Historic preservation of a movie theater, $3.5 million. Gym replacements, $4.5 million. A swimming pool renovation for $3.25 million. . . . This is more pork, more pork.”

Clinton, however, rebutted the allegations--and a spokesman for the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office backed him up.

“Let me say, you will read those bills for years in vain and not find those projects,” the President said. “I am not going to let those things be done.”