White House renews veto threats on spending bills

White House Chief of Staff John Podesta Tuesday renewed the administration's veto threats against several of the remaining fiscal 2001 appropriations bills, while also discussing Clinton's education priorities.

Podesta reiterated threats to veto the Foreign Operations spending bill if it retains language restricting funding for overseas organizations that advocate or perform abortions, calling last year's agreement on the issue--widely criticized by groups favoring abortion rights--a one-time deal.

Nevertheless, Podesta indicated there appeared to be about the right amount of funding in the bill for debt relief and combating AIDS. He also said there was no change in Clinton's determination to veto the Commerce-Justice-State spending bill unless it contains legislation improving the status of Hispanic immigrants already in the country.

Regarding education, Podesta said, "The President's commitment to his education budget is unwavering, and we will stay at the bargaining table until we have done right by America's children."

He indicated the White House feels "strongly" about, and will continue to insist on, federal direction of spending, a key sticking point with Republicans who want local control.

But he noted the administration had "shown flexibility" on the use of the money once areas have taken steps to reduce class size, and pledged to "sit down and talk" about the issue.

Podesta also blasted Republicans for seeking to appropriate "record amounts of pork." Although he said it was possible Clinton would veto a spending bill that was too bloated, Podesta declined to issue any specific threat.

Other priorities listed by Podesta included legislation to hire new police officers and prosecutors, the New Markets tax initiative, "equal pay" for women, funding to secure U.S. embassies, and an expansion of hate crimes laws. But Podesta refused repeated offers to say Clinton would veto a bill over the hate crimes issue.