US Presidency
1983

Taken as a whole, the budget I am proposing for the fiscal year will increase no more than the rate of inflation. In other words, the Federal Government will hold the line on real spending. Now, that's far less than many American families have had to do in these difficult times. I will request that the proposed 6-month freeze in cost-of-living adjustments recommended by the bipartisan Social Security Commission be applied to other government-related retirement programs. I will, also, propose a 1 year freeze on a broad range of domestic spending programs, and for Federal civilian and military pay and pension programs. And let me say right here, I am sorry, with regard to the military, in asking that of them, because for so many years they have been so far behind and so low in reward for what the men and women in uniform are doing. But I am sure they will understand that this must be across the board and fair.