Congress passed several of Nixon's proposals, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Tax Reform Act of 1969. Speaking in New Hampshire on the previous day, Ford condemned the growing trend toward big government bureaucracy and argued for a return to 'basic American virtues'. Ford was the only person to hold the presidential office without being elected as either president or vice president. The choice of Ford to fulfill Spiro Agnew's vacated role as vice president was based on Ford's reputation for openness and honesty. Ford was the only person to hold the presidential office without being elected as either president or vice president. The choice of Ford to fulfill Spiro Agnew's vacated role as vice president was based on Ford's reputation for openness and honesty. 'In all the years I sat in the House, I never knew Mr. Ford to make a dishonest statement nor a statement part-true and part-false.