House Democrats toughen omnibus' Pentagon provisions

Facing a potential backlash from anti-war House Democrats, party leaders are tweaking the supplemental war-funding title to be included in the omnibus fiscal 2008 appropriations bill next week. Language is being included to ensure the Pentagon has zero flexibility to transfer funds to operations in Iraq, addressing concerns from liberals that military officials would regard the money as "fungible."

The price tag could be shaved slightly, to around $25 billion, ensuring that funds are used solely to fund troops in Afghanistan and not other global operations such as in the Philippines and Horn of Africa.

Overall, the bill totals well over $500 billion and covers 15 Cabinet agencies for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, including $7 billion in other emergency spending on items ranging from border security to wildfire suppression. Scheduled for the House floor Tuesday, the measure should be approved with enough Democrats and moderate Republicans on board.

It is still unlikely to garner a veto-proof majority, as House GOP leaders remain opposed to the measure's spending increases totaling about $16 billion above President Bush's request, counting emergency funds. Another $2 billion-plus is included for emergency State Department requests submitted by Bush.

As a sweetener, Senate Democrats are expected to counter with an amendment boosting emergency war funding to $50 billion, including funds for Iraq. Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., said he was working on an option that could impose some acceptable conditions, but would not divulge details.

Senate Republicans are expected to offer an amendment boosting that figure to $70 billion with no strings attached, which is considered the minimum the White House would accept. But the White House and House Republicans are looking for the price tag on domestic items to come down, while some Senate Republicans are still smarting from what they deem unfair treatment by that chamber's Democratic leaders on farm and energy legislation. "The trust issue is very important," said Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., who appeared undecided despite omnibus sweeteners like boosted low-income heating aid, $195 million to rebuild the collapsed I-35W bridge in Minneapolis and $50 million for security at next year's Republican presidential convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who supports the measure's $3 billion for border security and $600 million for drought relief, said it would be difficult for him to support it. "You can't sell your vote on a bill that's irresponsible based on the fact that you've got things in there that you believe in and worked for," Sessions said.

Democrats continue to argue they have compromised and compromised some more, first offering to split the difference with Bush on overall spending and then by dropping unacceptable conditions on Iraq funding.

"It seems reasonable, but reason has not been the order of the day down at the White House, on anything," Senate Budget Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said.

"We're operating in good faith. The issue really is whether or not the White House is operating in good faith," added Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. "Do they want to shut the government down, is that what this is about? Is it just about playing games or are they serious about governing?"