On October 29, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 7:56 pm to 7:59 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 013-043 of the White House Tapes.
Transcript (AI-Generated)This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.
Mr. President, we just got word that the Senate has voted down the entire foreign aid program by a vote of 41 to 27.
Oh boy.
And that they have also voted against reconsideration.
Now, I would recommend that we put out, they can't stick with that.
And I would recommend that we put out a rather tough statement tonight, saying that there's under 25 years of bipartisan foreign policy, that the same people who have prevented, will draft it if you agree with the concept and read it to you, that the same group that has blocked the reorganization of the foreign aid program has now killed it manfully or was the leader of it.
How did Scott vote?
Republican for Scott Griffith voted for killing him, too.
But at any rate, we put out a very strong statement in saying that you are asking for immediate reconsideration and that those who
who will kill the foreign aid program will be responsible to the American people for the consequences.
Well, the problem we have there is whether we believe in this or not.
I don't see how they can maintain killing the foreign aid program.
There's very small votes in a lot of absentees.
I don't see that there's a chance that all the eastern papers are going to jump on them like crazy.
This is like the first Mansfield Amendment, in my view.
I'd just like to say it's a highly irresponsible action.
The Senate should reconsider the action.
take on individuals, you know what I mean?
No, I'd say it's a highly irresponsible action which, if it is maintained, would undo 25 years of bipartisan foreign policy.
Right, good.
And that you urge immediate reconsideration.
Right, good.
Right, Mr. President, we'll put that out.