Bush Veto Sets Up Clash on Budget

[cal04]

Democrats Make War-Funds Threat

By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer

A budget dispute erupted into a full-scale battle Tuesday as President Bush vetoed the Democrats' top-priority domestic spending bill and the party's Senate leader threatened to withhold war funding if the president does not agree to pull out of Iraq.

The long-anticipated clash came to a head as Bush rejected a $606 billion bill to fund education, health and labor programs, complaining that it is too expensive and is larded with pork. Within hours, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) declared that Bush will not get more money to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this year unless he accepts a plan to complete troop withdrawals by the end of next year.

The exchange encapsulated a broader confrontation over national priorities, a battle both sides appear eager to wage heading into an election year. As Bush demands full funding for the war, he signaled that Tuesday's action will be the first of a cascade of vetoes killing other spending bills, casting himself as a deficit hawk blocking a tax-and-spend Congress. Democrats are seeking to paint Bush as a reckless leader who spent the nation deep into debt through failed war policies while ignoring schools, medical research and other vital areas.

(snip)
At the same time, Bush signed a $459 billion annual Defense Department spending bill that increases the Pentagon's budget 9.5 percent to fund operations other than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although that legislation also includes what he calls unnecessary spending, he said he considers it important to deliver money to the military in a time of war.

Democrats and their allies quickly attacked Bush for his veto of the education-health bill. House Appropriations Committee Chairman David R. Obey (D-Wis.) called it "pure politics," and the National Education Association, a teachers union, called it a "politically-motivated attack on children." Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean vowed that "Republicans will pay for it in next year's elections."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/13/AR2007111300750.html?hpid=topnews

[Divine Discontent]

1. well I love the sound of that, Harry! n/t

[Purveyor]

2. There needs to be a clash and 'big time'. Our democratic majority has done shit to validate the

reason they were seated.

Now is the time, perhaps the last time, they have to demonstrate to the many that voted for this new congress that they are worthy.

To think that we democrats have the WH and Congress in the 'palm of our hands' come 2008 elections is pure folly UNLESS this democratic party shows some 'leadership'.

[nightrider767]

3. No Clash Will Happen

Bush gets what he wants and Democrats on Capital hill "pose".

Welcome to our nightmare.

Cheers.