House, Senate pass supplemental spending bill

The House easily passed the $28.9 billion, fiscal 2002 supplemental conference report Tuesday, and the Senate voted its approval Wednesday.

The House vote was 397-32 and the Senate vote was 92-7.

Although there has been no official word from the Office of Management and Budget, congressional leaders expect President Bush to sign the bill, despite grumbling from administration officials over spending totals for the Transportation Security Administration and other provisions.

The final measure includes $14.5 billion for defense and $6.7 billion for homeland security, including $3.8 billion for the new Transportation Security Administration.

Another $5.5 billion would go to New York City, while $2.1 billion would go to foreign assistance programs, $1 billion for Pell Grants, $400 million for election reform, $417 million for veterans' medical care, $205 million for Amtrak and $31 million for the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The bill also includes language to restore $4.3 billion for highway funds.