Gingrich To Outline Political Agenda

By John King/CNN

WASHINGTON (Jan. 2) -- House Speaker Newt Gingrich will embark on a 17-state tour after delivering a speech Monday in Georgia outlining his thoughts on a 1998 political and legislative agenda.

Gingrich aides said the speech in the Republican leader's House district in Marietta, will be short on specific policy proposals and will deal with broad themes on a number of issues. These will range from tax reform to education, drugs and retirement issues, including the need to restructure Social Security.

Gingrich is also likely to repeat his call for President Bill Clinton to set an earlier deadline for balancing the federal budget - now scheduled for 2002.

Sources tell CNN that the speaker will promise that Republicans will pass more tax cuts this year as they begin to lay the groundwork for a major overhaul of the tax code at a later date.

Gingrich will then hit the road to help GOP candidates raise money and to deliver his ideas to regional audiences.

Friday Jan. 2, 1997

• Sources: Clinton To Propose Major Medicare Expansion
• Kennedy's Private Wake Is Friday
• Customs Agents Hospitalized Following Accident
• Gingrich To Outline Political Agenda
• Clinton Moves Vacation South
• Wash. D.C. Lost Population In 1997
• New Year Brings Medicare Change