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Sunday, 21 January, 2001, 16:22 GMT
Bush stamps his authority
![]() Fanfares today, but business starts after the weekend
The new President of the United States, George W Bush, has moved to block a series of measures approved at the last minute by his predecessor, Bill Clinton.
Mr Bush's chief of staff, Andrew Card, said the action was designed to ensure that the new administration was able to review the changes, which mainly affect health and the environment.
On Tuesday, he will send his education reform package to Congress, in the hope that Republicans and Democrats will work together on the issue. Appointee approval Mr Bush took action against Mr Clinton's final executive orders almost immediately after being sworn in on Saturday.
It is not clear how many of the measures, dealing with health insurance for the elderly, Medicare and various environmental policies, Mr Bush will be able to reverse. Mr Bush also said no further staff should be hired within the federal government unless approved by one of his appointees. Correspondents say this is intended to stop former Clinton appointees taking up posts in various parts of the civil and diplomatic services. Split congress Mr Bush's desire to overcome divisions within the evenly split congress could be put to its first test when his proposals for education reform reach congress on Tuesday.
Mr Bush used his 15-minute inauguration address on Saturday to appeal to those who have not accepted his presidency. He called on Americans to be "citizens not spectators" and to become more involved in the service of their communities and nation.
After Saturday's inauguration, Mr Bush and First Lady Laura Bush attended all eight official inaugural balls. As Bill Clinton prepared to fly to his house in New York State he gave a final farewell to his supporters. "You gave me the ride of my life and I tried to give as good as I got," he told a crowd at the airport.
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