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The warfare between the President and Congress has not been total, however. Nixon has signed 25 major bills passed by Congress. They include a new farm program that provides payments to farmers when prices fall below a certain level; a highway act that allows cities to finance mass transit from the Highway Trust Fund; an economic stabilization act that continues for another year the President's authority to impose wage and price controls; and a boost in Social Security payments. Despite his tough rhetoric, the President has also shown a willingness to compromise on bills extending public health services, providing for a public works program, expanding airports and increasing veterans' payments.
Last week the Senate, too, drew back from an aggressive position. It rejected measures to reduce the budget for the President's Domestic Council and to require congressional approval of security improvements for the President's private homes. "Since the time of Socrates, politics has been the art of compromise," House Majority Leader Thomas P. O'Neill observed. "When Haldeman and Ehrlichman were running the White House, the President treated Congress like a stepchild. Mel Laird is over there now.
He says of himself: 'I'm a child of Congress.' Now is the time for Laird to come over here and sit down with us."
Getting the message, Laird called O'Neill about setting up a meeting. Replied O'Neill: "We can give a little, and you can give a little." If enough is given on both sides the business of the people may yet go forward.