April 1999

[admin]

Clinton Administration Highlights in April 1999April 1999 marked the intensification of NATO's Operation Allied Force in Kosovo, entering its second month. President Clinton focused on sustaining public and congressional support for airstrikes against Yugoslav forces while managing domestic priorities like school safety in the wake of the Columbine High School shooting (April 20). The economy remained strong, with budget surplus projections fueling debates over tax cuts vs. Social Security preservation.Date
Event
Details
April 1
Weekly Radio Address on Kosovo
Clinton updated the nation on NATO airstrikes, emphasizing the moral imperative to stop ethnic cleansing and prevent a wider Balkan war. He cited over 500,000 displaced Kosovars.
April 5
Oval Office Address on Kosovo Strategy
In a primetime speech, Clinton outlined goals: allow refugees to return, deploy international peacekeepers, and degrade Milosevic’s military capacity. He rejected ground troops but left the option open.
April 13
Meeting with NATO Leaders (via secure video)
Clinton coordinated with allies on intensified bombing and contingency planning, including potential ground force deployment if airstrikes failed.
April 15
Remarks at National Academy of Sciences
Clinton announced a $1.8 billion education technology initiative to wire every classroom to the internet and train teachers, part of the E-Rate expansion under the 1996 Telecom Act.
April 20
Columbine High School Massacre (Littleton, CO)
12 students and 1 teacher killed. Clinton addressed the nation that evening, calling for gun safety measures, school security funding, and a national moment of silence on April 23.
April 21
White House Conference on Youth Violence
First Lady Hillary Clinton hosted a follow-up summit with educators, law enforcement, and media leaders to address root causes and promote anti-bullying programs.
April 22
NATO 50th Anniversary Summit (Washington, D.C.)
Clinton hosted world leaders; issued a new Strategic Concept allowing NATO operations beyond its borders (e.g., Kosovo). Approved continued airstrikes and contingency ground force planning.
April 23
National Moment of Silence for Columbine
At 12:00 PM EDT, Clinton led a White House observance. Later signed an executive order expanding background checks at gun shows (later blocked by Congress).
April 28
State Dinner for Canadian PM Jean Chrétien
Discussions focused on trade, environment, and joint support for NATO’s Kosovo mission.
April 29
Veto of Republican Tax Cut Bill
Clinton vetoed a $792 billion tax cut package, calling it fiscally irresponsible and threatening Social Security and Medicare solvency. Democrats rallied behind the veto.

Other Notes:China WTO Negotiations: Premier Zhu Rongji visited April 6–13; Clinton rejected a draft accession deal due to insufficient market access concessions, delaying China’s WTO entry.
Patients’ Bill of Rights: Administration pushed managed care reform; House Democrats introduced a stronger version than GOP alternative.

Democratic Party Activities in April 1999With the 2000 election cycle heating up, Democrats used April to solidify Al Gore’s frontrunner status, counter GOP momentum, and capitalize on Clinton’s post-impeachment resilience. The DNC and congressional Democrats focused on messaging around prosperity, education, and gun safety.Presidential Campaign PrepAl Gore: Launched exploratory committee events in Tennessee and Iowa. Emphasized “Livability Agenda” (traffic, sprawl, schools). Avoided Kosovo as a campaign issue to prevent splits.
Bill Bradley: Former NJ Senator formally exploring; held town halls in NH, positioning as reform outsider. Gaining media buzz but trailing Gore in polls.

Congressional DemocratsHouse Democratic Caucus (April 14 retreat): Strategy session in Leesburg, VA. Minority Leader Dick Gephardt outlined “Families First” agenda:Protect Social Security surplus
Pass Patients’ Bill of Rights
Raise minimum wage
Fund 100,000 new teachers

Senate Democrats: Pushed for $18 billion Kosovo supplemental with humanitarian aid; criticized GOP delays. Sen. Ted Kennedy introduced juvenile justice/gun safety amendments post-Columbine.

DNC & State PartiesDNC Spring Meeting (April 16–18, Washington): Chair Joe Andrew unveiled “Democrats 2000” voter file expansion and early absentee ballot programs in battleground states.
Fundraising: Gore headlined DNC gala raising $2.1 million. State parties (FL, PA, MI) held “Clinton-Gore Legacy” dinners.

Post-Columbine MobilizationApril 25: Democratic mayors (e.g., Denver’s Wellington Webb) joined Clinton in pushing for gun show loophole closure and child trigger locks. DNC rapid-response ads blamed NRA-backed GOP inaction.

Summary: April 1999 saw Clinton balancing Kosovo escalation with domestic crisis response (Columbine), while Democrats unified around Gore’s candidacy, economic stewardship, and gun safety as wedge issues heading into 2000.

https://x.com/i/grok/share/TVnSrSqP6zCrFeIbJZfB6EXaL