Dems add domestic items to war budget

[helderheid]

Congressional extras tack on another $10 billion

By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON — While Democrats try to restrict how President Bush can spend the $100 billion he wants for Iraq, they also hope to load his measure up with $10 billion in add-ons — from aid for avocado growers to help for children lacking health insurance.

Lawmakers also hope to add money for better levees in New Orleans and development of military bases that are closing.

The expected battle with the White House over the add-ons is getting far less attention than debate over Iraq, but it could reveal a lot about how much Democrats will be able to rewrite the Republican president's budget later this year.

Bush has yet to veto a spending bill, and Democrats are gambling he'll sign the Iraq measure despite objections. Republicans may be reluctant to vote against it since it contains funds for troops overseas.

"It's starting to become a train onto which a lot of baggage is being thrown that has got nothing to do with the war or really legitimate emergencies," said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H.

Countered House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey, D-Wis.: "We will only fund what is necessary."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/4591459.html

[babylonsister]

1. Gregg's quote is a real riot. Didn't seem to bother him pre-11/06. nt

[Atman]

2. He'll just add a signing statement saying "Except for the stuff for those kids"

"...and sick people, and all the hangers-on dragging down our society by not being rich like me and Uncka Dick."

But seriously -- avocado growers? Why not a bridge to Alaska while we're at it?

:wtf:

.

[Horse with no Name]

4. Really

If they are getting aid why am I paying over $1 apiece for them?:shrug:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Brilliant! Now the Repugs can be accused of "not supporting the troops" if they vote against it.

I hope they load it up with everything from education to universal health care.

[robinlynne]

5. No, I think they need to STOP FUNDING THE WAR.

[dkofos]

6. I agree!!

Take one from the repube play book, JUST DON"T BRING IT UP FOR A VOTE.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. So do I. But, I like the idea of Repugs refusing to vote for it.

I'm hoping, vainly I fear, that the Dems will vote en-masse against it, but if they can snare a few hard-line repugs to vote against it because of the add-ons it wouldn't hurt.

[Solo_in_MD]

8. Isn't this a classic way to get the pork through?

[Duer 157099]

9. Yeah. Only in reverse.

The war funding is the pork.

We live in backwards-world donchaknow.

[robinlynne]

10. honestly, I think it's cute and clever. but it is still playing their game

their way. I'm sick and disgusted with "politics' at this point. Time to take this country back. now. not slowly. and I'm one of the impeachment holdouts who wanted to wait for the hearings. ok. the mess is on the table. it's all obvious. But it isn't changing! sorry for the rant.