Kenneth E. BeLieu
During the Nixon White House taping period, Kenneth E. BeLieu transitioned from his role as Deputy Assistant to the President for Congressional Relations, a position he held from January 1969 until September 1971. In September 1971, he was appointed and sworn in as the Under Secretary of the Army. He continued to serve in this capacity throughout the remainder of the taping period, concluding his service in June 1973.
When BeLieu is on the tapes
What BeLieu talks about on the tapes
Congressional relations 5Military draft 3Legislative strategy 3Supersonic Transport 2Foreign Policy 2Economic policy 2White House scheduling 1Vietnam War policy 1Vietnam War 1Troop withdrawals 1Stock market 1Soviet Union 1
Conversations (17)
President Nixon met with Republican congressional leaders and cabinet members to discuss rural development initiatives and solicit support for the administration's policy agenda. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin and staff provided an extensive briefing on the status of rural America, highlighting demographic shifts and explaining the mechanics of proposed federal revenue-sharing programs designed to foster economic growth. Participants also reviewed legislative priorities, including the upcoming vote on the supersonic transport (SST) appropriation and other pending congressional business.
President Nixon met with Vice President Agnew and Republican Congressional leaders to secure support for two of his primary initiatives: the Supersonic Transport (SST) program and a major government reorganization plan. Secretary of Transportation John Volpe advocated for the SST by addressing environmental, economic, and technological concerns, arguing that the project was essential for U.S. aviation preeminence and long-term economic growth. Subsequently, John Connally detailed the work of the Ash Council, urging the legislators to embrace a fundamental restructuring of the executive branch to improve government efficiency, accountability, and public trust. Nixon emphasized that these measures were critical for ensuring that his administration could effectively manage federal programs and maintain the nation's competitive edge.
President Nixon met with Senator John L. McClellan, Clark MacGregor, and Kenneth E. BeLieu to discuss legislative priorities, national defense, and the President's political standing. The participants addressed concerns regarding U.S. military strength relative to the Soviet Union, the importance of maintaining nuclear deterrent credibility, and the economic necessity of supporting American industries like steel and aviation. Additionally, the President and Senator McClellan reviewed the progress of the Arkansas River navigation project and discussed pending appointments and committee activities within Congress.
On April 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, and Republican Congressional leaders, including Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Margaret Chase Smith, Norris Cotton, Gordon L. Allott, Peter H. Dominick, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, Barber B. Conable, Jr., Richard H. Poff, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, Robert T. Stafford, Robert J. Dole, George P. Shultz, Peter G. Peterson, Peter M. Flanigan, Dr. James R. Schlesinger, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Patrick J. Buchanan, Ernest Stern, C. Fred Bergsten, Jonathan C. Rose, Bryce N. Harlow, Herbert G. Klein, Ronald L. Ziegler, White House photographer, and members of the press, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:06 am and 9:44 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 054-003 of the White House Tapes.
On April 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Republican senators, including Barry M. Goldwater, Henry L. Bellmon, John G. Tower, Howard H. Baker, Jr., Robert J. Dole, Edward J. Gurney, J. Caleb Boggs, Carl T. Curtis, Clifford P. Hansen, Jack R. Miller, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Eugene S. Cowen, Harry S. Dent, and Henry A. Kissinger, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 5:17 pm to 6:21 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 055-001 of the White House Tapes.
On May 4, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Spiro T. Agnew, and Republican Congressional leaders, including John N. Irwin, II, John B. Connally, Melvin R. Laird, Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Margaret Chase Smith, Gordon L. Allott, Norris Cotton, Milton R. Young, John G. Tower, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, John J. Rhodes, Richard H. Poff, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, Barber B. Conable, Jr., Robert T. Stafford, H. Allen Smith, Frank T. Bow, William B. Widnall, George P. Shultz, John D. Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, Kenneth R. BeLieu, Herbert G. Klein, Ronald L. Ziegler, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Bryce N. Harlow, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 8:04 am to 10:04 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 055-004 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with his Cabinet and Republican Congressional leaders to coordinate the administration's legislative agenda, specifically addressing the ongoing national railroad strike and the upcoming Congressional vote on the military draft. The discussion also focused on foreign policy, with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and Henry Kissinger providing briefings on the status of NATO, the credibility of U.S. military commitments in Europe, and the implications of recent Soviet statements regarding mutual force reductions. The President urged the Congressional leaders to maintain a firm stance against unilateral U.S. force withdrawals while emphasizing the need to handle these matters through stable, negotiated frameworks rather than disruptive legislative amendments.
President Nixon met with Republican Congressional leaders to discuss the administration’s new, multi-pronged national strategy for combating drug abuse, emphasizing a shift toward treatment, rehabilitation, and the creation of a centralized Special Action Office. During the discussion, Nixon and his team outlined plans for increased interdiction, expanded military detoxification programs, and a firm, non-permissive stance against the legalization of marijuana. Furthermore, the participants addressed the political climate surrounding the Vietnam War, with Nixon urging support against anti-war amendments and arguing that congressional deadlines for withdrawal would undermine sensitive ongoing negotiations.
On July 19, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, William P. Rogers, and bipartisan Congressional leaders, including Michael J. ("Mike") Mansfield, Hugh Scott, John C. Stennis, Margaret Chase Smith, J. William Fulbright, George D. Aiken, Allen J. Ellender, Milton R. Young, Carl B. Albert, [Thomas] Hale Boggs, Gerald R. Ford, Edward Hébert, Leslie C. Arends, Dr. Thomas E. ("Doc") Morgan, William S. Mailliard, George H. Mahon, Frank T. Bow, Henry A. Kissinger, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Ronald L. Ziegler, and John A. Scali, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:36 am and 10:11 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 064-005 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with key Congressional leaders, including John C. Stennis and F. Edward Hébert, along with his advisors to discuss the legislative strategy for upcoming draft bills and the political impact of Congressional interference in Vietnam War policy. The participants debated the risks of establishing a firm troop withdrawal date, with Nixon emphasizing that Congressional restrictions could undermine his negotiating leverage and public perception. The President insisted on maintaining executive freedom of action to ensure a favorable peace settlement and signaled that he would not yield on the inclusion of a binding deadline in draft legislation.
On July 20, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, William P. Rogers, and Republican Congressional leaders, including Hugh Scott, John C. Stennis, Robert P. Griffin, Margaret Chase Smith, Gordon L. Allott, Norris Ctton, Peter H. Dominick, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, Richard H. Poff, Barber B. Conable, Jr., John J. Rhodes, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, Robert T. Stafford, H. Allen Smith, Robert J. Dole, Henry A. Kissinger, Clark MacGregor, John D. Ehrlichman, George P. Shultz, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Richard K. Cook, Harry S. Dent, Herbert G. Klein, Patrick J. Buchanan, Bryce C. Harlow, and Ronald L. Ziegler, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 7:35 am and 10:23 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 065-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with H. R. Haldeman and other aides to manage the political and economic response to his recently announced New Economic Policy. The discussions focused on coordinating with bipartisan congressional leadership to ensure support for the administration's program, highlighting the effectiveness of Treasury Secretary John Connally's public outreach, and monitoring the positive stock market reaction. A key objective was to frame the policy as a proactive leadership move that preempted more damaging legislative actions, while also preparing future speeches and briefings to maintain momentum and public confidence.
President Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and Kenneth BeLieu coordinated the urgent assembly of a bipartisan congressional leadership meeting. The participants finalized a list of key legislators from the Senate and House, specifically focusing on members of the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Banking and Currency committees. BeLieu was tasked with contacting the members immediately to arrange the meeting and providing government transportation to facilitate the arrival of lawmakers currently out of town.
On August 17, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, and bipartisan Congressional leaders, including Michael J. ("Mike") Mansfield, Robert P. Griffin, Milton R. Young, Allen J. Ellender, John J. Sparkman, John G. Tower, Wallace F. Bennett, Russell B. Long, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, William B. Widnall, Wilbur D. Mills, John W. Byrnes, John B. Connally, Charls E. Walker, Paul W. McCracken, Arthur F. Burns, George P. Shultz, John D. Ehrlichman, Ronald L. Ziegler, Peter G. Peterson, William L. Safire, and Kenneth E. BeLieu, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House from 10:39 am to 12:54 pm. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 070-001 of the White House Tapes.
On September 14, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Republican Congressional leaders, including George P. Shultz, Paul W. McCracken, Herbert Stein, Charls E. Walker, Arnold R. Weber, Hugh Scott, Robert P. Griffin, Gordon L. Allott, Peter H. Dominick, Wallace F. Bennett, Milton R. Young, Jacob K. Javits, Gerald R. Ford, Leslie C. Arends, John B. Anderson, John J. Rhodes, Robert C. ("Bob") Wilson, H. Allen Smith, Robert T. Stafford, Richard H. Poff, Barber B. Conable, Jr., Frank T. Bow, John W. Byrnes, William L. Springer, John D. Ehrlichman, Clark MacGregor, William E. Timmons, Kenneth E. BeLieu, Patrick J. Buchanan, and Gerald L. Warren, met in the Cabinet Room of the White House at an unknown time between 8:09 am and 10:21 am. The Cabinet Room taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 074-002 of the White House Tapes.
President Nixon met with Senator Gordon Allott and other administration and congressional officials to secure the passage of the military draft extension bill. The discussion focused on overcoming legislative stalemates, specifically the concerns surrounding the Mansfield Amendment and the threat of a Senate filibuster. Nixon emphasized that extending the draft was critical to maintaining the United States' international standing and global leverage, and he committed to personally lobbying Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield to reach a resolution.
President Nixon met with Kenneth BeLieu, William Timmons, and Clark MacGregor to discuss BeLieu's transition to his new role as Undersecretary of the Army. The President emphasized the need for stronger leadership and management within the Army and stressed the importance of maintaining close coordination between the Pentagon and the White House on legislative defense matters. The participants further deliberated on potential military leadership candidates, including Gen. Creighton Abrams, and reflected on the ongoing political challenges regarding the military draft.