Republicans Hope Congress Will Approve $373 Billion Spending Bill When Law

[Judi Lynn]

Republicans Hope Congress Will Approve $373 Billion Spending Bill When Lawmakers Return Next Month

The Associated Press



WASHINGTON Nov. 26 — Top Republicans hope Congress will approve a gigantic $373 billion spending bill when lawmakers return next month, but Democrats angry over White House victories in the bill are showing no inclination to cooperate.

Congressional and Bush administration bargainers on Tuesday finished writing the measure, a sprawling package that finances 11 departments and dozens of programs from the FBI to airport improvements to foreign aid. It covers the budget year that began Oct. 1, leaving majority Republicans well short of their goal of demonstrating efficiency by finishing Congress' routine spending work promptly.

GOP leaders planned to bring both chambers of Congress back to work the week of Dec. 8. But it was possible final votes might not occur until January the start of a year featuring presidential and congressional elections.

The bill has something that appeals to almost every member of Congress, such as money for popular programs like schools, veterans health care and projects for lawmakers' districts. But Democrats and some Republicans were irked over the White House's unyielding stance on several 11th-hour disputes. (snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20031126_157.html

[hadrons]

1. Democrats angry over White House victories in the bill are showing no ....

inclination to cooperate.

yeah, right ... watch the Repukes leaders say "boo!", they get all the cooperation they need after that

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. That's all we need.

What's another $373 billion?