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 considerthe financial programs of the various departments on a piecemeal basis.Instead it has called on the President to present a comprehensive ExecutiveBudget. The Congress has shown its satisfaction with that method byextending the budget system and tightening its controls. The bigger andmore complex the Federal Program, the more necessary it is for the ChiefExecutive to submit a single budget for action by the Congress.
At the same time, it is clear that the budgetary program and the generalprogram of the Government are actually inseparable. The president bears theresponsibility for recommending to the Congress a comprehensive set ofproposals on all Government activities and their financing. In formulatingpolicies, as in preparing budgetary estimates, the Nation and the Congresshave the right to expect the President to adjust and coordinate the viewsof the various departments and agencies to form a unified program. And thatprogram requires consideration in connection with the Budget, which is theannual work program of the Government.
Since our programs for this period which combines war liquidation withreconversion to a peacetime economy are inevitably large and numerous it isimperative that they be planned and executed with the utmost efficiency andthe utmost economy. We have cut the war program to the maximum extentconsistent with national security. We have held our peacetime programs tothe level necessary to our national well-being and the attainment of ourpostwar objectives. Where increased programs have been recommended, theincreases have been held as low as is consistent with these goals. I canassure the Congress of the necessity of these programs. I can furtherassure the Congress that the program as a whole is well within our capacityto finance it. All the programs I have recommended for action are includedin the Budget figures.
For these reasons I have chosen to combine the customary Message on theState of the Union with the annual Budget Message, and to include in theBudget not only estimates for functions authorized by the Congress, butalso for those which I recommend for its action.
I am also transmitting herewith the Fifth Quarterly Report of the Directorof War Mobilization and Reconversion.[1] It is a comprehensive discussion ofthe present state of the reconversion program and of the immediate andlong-range needs and recommendations.
[Footnote 1: The report dated January 1, 1946, and entitled "Battle forProduction" is printed in House Document 398 (79th Cong., 2d sess.).]
This constitutes, then, as complete a report as I find it possible toprepare now. It constitutes a program of government in relation to theNation's needs.
With the growing responsibility of modern governm