Hi friend,

Thirty years ago this week, I had the honor of serving in the Clinton Administration as President Clinton laid out a bold plan to balance the federal budget — not by gutting the social safety net, but by strengthening it.

That speech, delivered on June 13, 1995, came at a time of economic uncertainty. But instead of resorting to cuts that would have hurt working families, President Clinton outlined a path that invested in education, health care, and the middle class — and called on us to build a future rooted in opportunity and responsibility.

I was proud to serve in that administration and to contribute to one of its most lasting legacies: the creation of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For the first time, millions of children whose families couldn’t afford private coverage gained access to doctors and the basic care every child deserves. It was a transformative moment, not just for the families it reached, but for what it said about who we are and what we value.

That’s why today’s proposed budget is so troubling.

President Bill Clinton draws a large zero on a display board labeled ''1999 Federal Budget Deficit'' to signify a balanced federal budget.

President Bill Clinton marks a zero to symbolize the elimination of the federal budget deficit for 1999.

It would cut CHIP. It would take food assistance away from millions of children. It would cut off health care, reduce protections for women, and even block states from shielding kids from the risks of emerging technologies like AI. And unlike policies we advocated during the Clinton administration — which led to the largest budget surplus in U.S. history — this proposal adds to the deficit while making life harder for those already struggling.

We know a better way is possible.

The Clinton Foundation carries that legacy forward every day by investing in practical, community-rooted solutions that support families where they are and create opportunities that last. In the coming days, staff and partners will spotlight several of these programs — from early learning in laundromats and playgrounds to advancing women's health care.
And we’ll keep reminding people: Budgets aren’t just financial documents. They’re moral ones.

Together, we can keep building a future that puts children and families first.

With gratitude,
Jennifer Klein
Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, Clinton Administration

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