Some Hill Republicans Ready for Spending Compromise, but Bush Is Not

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: CQ

Senate Democratic leaders outlined a compromise proposal Thursday for completing the fiscal 2008 spending bills, and some Republicans indicated they are ready to start making deals.

Majority Leader Harry Reid said Democratic leaders in both chambers are considering sending President Bush a multi-bill “omnibus” appropriations package in December that would split the difference between what Congress and the White House are seeking in discretionary spending totals for the fiscal 2008 bills.

House and Senate leaders have been trying for weeks to devise a strategy to finish the fiscal 2008 appropriations process in the face of veto threats from the president, who is insisting upon a lower spending total than Congress has set. Bush has proposed spending $933 billion on the 12 annual appropriations bills, while Democrats want $23 billion more.

“The president vetoed our Labor-HHS bill. We’re gonna now bundle these bills up, send him a bill splitting the difference between the $22 billion that he says we’re over and his budget number,” said Reid, D-Nev.

Read more: http://public.cq.com/docs/cqt/news110-000002628948.html

[rodeodance]

1. well well, now it see if they stand by their public words!!

[rodeodance]

2. The White House brushed off Reid’s proposal Thursday, as administration officials have done previous

The White House brushed off Reid’s proposal Thursday, as administration officials have done previously when Democrats have said they are willing to negotiate on funding levels.

“The president has been clear that Congress should adhere to the budgetary process and pass individual funding bills at reasonable and responsible spending levels,” said Sean Kevelighan, a spokesman for the White House budget office. “Perhaps Democratic leadership in Congress. . . should concern itself less with capturing political news cycles and more on their fundamental responsibility to fund the federal government.”

Bush has been firm in his stance that Congress should adhere to his top line.

“My impression is the president is quite serious about his number,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

[rodeodance]

3. ALL JR HAS LEFT IS HIS LITTLE VETO ~~PENI~~

[Toots]

4. Bush has proposed spending $933 billion on the 12 annual appropriations bills,

Let's see now five hundred billion for Defense, two hundred billion for War, four hundred billion for Interest on our debt. I don't see how there is anything left over for America....

[paparush]

5. The ~Education~ President...remember that crap...bleh...

[damntexdem]

6. They don't need Dubya if enough of them vote to override any vetoes.

They don't need to comment, or complain, or grandstand -- just to vote to override.