Title:  State of the Union Addresses of Harry S. Truman

Author:  Harry S. Truman

Release Date:  February, 2004 [EBook #5039] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 11, 2002] [Date last updated:  December 16, 2004]

Edition:  11

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

*** Start of the project gutenberg EBOOK of addresses by Harry S. Truman ***

This eBook was produced by James Linden.

The addresses are separated by three asterisks:  ***

Dates of addresses by Harry S. Truman in this eBook: 
  January 21, 1946
  January 6, 1947
  January 7, 1948
  January 5, 1949
  January 4, 1950
  January 8, 1951
  January 9, 1952
  January 7, 1953

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State of the Union Address
Harry S. Truman
January 21, 1946

To the Congress of the United States: 

A quarter century ago the Congress decided that it could no longer consider the financial programs of the various departments on a piecemeal basis.  Instead it has called on the President to present a comprehensive Executive Budget.  The Congress has shown its satisfaction with that method by extending the budget system and tightening its controls.  The bigger and more complex the Federal Program, the more necessary it is for the Chief Executive to submit a single budget for action by the Congress.

At the same time, it is clear that the budgetary program and the general program of the Government are actually inseparable.  The president bears the responsibility for recommending to the Congress a comprehensive set of proposals on all Government activities and their financing.  In formulating policies, as in preparing budgetary estimates, the Nation and the Congress have the right to expect the President to adjust and coordinate the views of the various departments and agencies to form a unified program.  And that program requires consideration in connection with the Budget, which is the annual work program of the Government.

Since our programs for this period which combines war liquidation with reconversion to a peacetime economy are inevitably large and numerous it is imperative that they be planned and executed with the utmost efficiency and the utmost economy.  We have cut the war program to the maximum extent consistent with national security.  We have held our peacetime programs to the level necessary to our national well-being and the attainment of our postwar objectives.  Where increased programs have been recommended, the increases have been held as low as is consistent with these goals.  I can assure the Congress of the necessity of these programs.  I can further assure the Congress that the program as a whole is well within our capacity to finance it.  All the programs I have recommended for action are included in the Budget figures.