← 016-071016-073 →

Conversation 016-072

TapeTape 16StartThursday, December 9, 1971 at 2:38 PMEndThursday, December 9, 1971 at 2:39 PMTape start time02:29:51Tape end time02:31:28ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Mills, Wilbur D.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon calls Congressman Wilbur Mills to commend him for securing the House passage of recent tax legislation despite opposition from George Meany and Edward B. Miller regarding the "check off" provision. Mills reports that key Senate figures, including Russell B. Long, Herman E. Talmadge, and Carl T. Curtis, have expressed confidence in the bill's prospects in the upper chamber. Nixon offers to intervene by calling senators if necessary, though both agree to monitor the situation for any signs of obstruction.

Tax legislationWilbur MillsCongressional relationsGeorge MeanyLegislative strategy
AudioNARA Description

On December 9, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Wilbur D. Mills talked on the telephone from 2:38 pm to 2:39 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 016-072 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 16-72

Date: December 9, 1971
Time: 2:38 pm - 2:39 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Wilbur D. Mills.

[See Conversation No. 634-3]

     Tax legislation
          -"Check off" deal
                -George Meany
                -[Edward B.?] Miller
          -Vote
                -Gerald R. Ford
                -John W. Byrnes
                -Senate role
                     -Timing
                     -Russell B. Long
                     -Herman E. Talmadge
                     -Carl T. Curtis
                     -President’s possible telephone calls
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

Hello.
Congressman Wilbur Mills, Mr. President.
Yeah.
Hello, Mr. President.
How are you?
Well, congratulations.
The main thing, congratulations to the country.
Well, it had to pass.
Yeah, we needed it.
And it's truly, we were battling what I thought was a combination that might
some trouble though so many of them didn't like any of that check off deal yeah they got this letter from uh meanie or from miller yeah asking them to vote against the whole thing but only 74 followed 300 i was surprised at the size of that boat yeah but uh well it shows that the chairman's got some got some influence jerry ford and john burns and others
Yeah, well, we do appreciate it.
What's the next step now?
The Senate's supposed to take it up either later today or tomorrow.
And what is your view as to what will happen?
Are they trying to get through, or are they going to get through?
They are.
They are, and Russell and Herman Talmadge told me when we broke up that they didn't anticipate a bit of trouble in the Senate.
And Carl Curtis chimed in and said the same thing.
That's fine.
Well, if you hear anything, if I'm needed to call anybody, I'll do it.
I haven't, but if you'll keep us posted, I would appreciate it.
We'll certainly do it.
Otherwise, I'll just assume that it's on track over there.
Because, you know, over there you can't call one person, you call a hundred.
One knows really what they're going to do.
And then you don't know.
Well, okay.
Thank you very much.
I appreciate your time.
Your hard work.
Bye.
I appreciate it.
Thanks a lot.
← 016-071016-073 →