Democrats drafting massive budget package

House and Senate Democrats are drafting what could be a $520 billion-plus spending package they hope will drive an end to the budget stalemate and this session of Congress, including funding for 15 Cabinet agencies through the end of fiscal 2008.

President Bush is threatening to veto the measure over domestic spending increases he does not want. In a bid to woo GOP backing, as much as $30 billion might be added to tide the Pentagon over until March.

No funds would be allotted specifically to Iraq. But the extra money would allow the Pentagon to continue operations in Afghanistan, improve critical "force protection" needs such as body armor and armored vehicles, and cover a shortfall that threatens to curtail child care at domestic bases and other services.

Military officials could have sufficient flexibility to divert some of the force protection funds to soldiers serving in Iraq, a potential sticking point for war critics.

At the same time, Republicans and Bush are signaling they cannot support a slimmed-down measure that does not address funding for Iraq.

"It's an absurd idea," said Senate Budget ranking member Judd Gregg, R-N.H. "I don't think anything's going to pass until we get the money to the troops in the field that they need to do their job, without strings."

The plan has not been finalized, and Democratic aides acknowledge it has been considered before and jettisoned.

Nonetheless, the leadership is betting that the sheer size of the bill, with so many priorities for members on both sides of the aisle, might overcome objections.

The bicameral leadership and Appropriations committees were working out details of the massive bill, in advance of expected House floor action as early as a week from Wednesday.

The package would be considered as an "amendment between the chambers" rather than a traditional conference report, a quicker process that Democratic leaders have employed several times this year.

More than $7 billion in emergency funds are expected to be added for domestic and foreign-aid priorities.

That includes $3 billion for border security backed by conservative Republicans and about $2 billion for State Department requests, meaning the lion's share of the extra funding has the explicit backing of Bush and his allies.

Drought aid for Southeastern states, at roughly $600 million, would be included. Another $400 million would cover a shortfall the White House acknowledges in the major nutrition program for low-income women, infants and children, that threatens to drop 500,000 benefit recipients due to rising prices for dairy and other foods.

The Forest Service and Interior Department need an estimated $500 million to replenish firefighting accounts, while additional funds are to be included to help the poor pay heating bills.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., in an emotional floor speech extolling the heating program, invoked the name of one of his home-state predecessors, the late Sen. Hubert Humphrey, a Democrat.

"For many, it really is a matter of survival," said Coleman, who faces a tough re-election fight next year. "Sometimes no matter how hard we try, we just need a helping hand to get back on our feet."

Democrats are compromising on various fronts.

Riders subject to Bush veto threats are being dropped, such as language loosening "Mexico City" restrictions on aid to overseas groups that support abortion rights.

"Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are attempting in good faith to find a way around the veto-threat demagoguery that has been emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for months,"Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., said on the floor.

"Now the White House needs to put aside politics and recognize that it is time to govern in the responsible manner expected by the American people."

Matters unrelated to appropriations might also be included, including a one-year patch to keep the alternative minimum tax from affecting 19 million additional taxpayers.

The $50 billion cost would not be offset, a major concession on the part of House Democrats demanding adherence to "pay-as-you-go" budget rules.

Republican leaders were slated to meet with Bush to discuss appropriations and other issues.

Top Senate Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Appropriations ranking member Thad Cochran of Mississippi, have expressed their desire for an agreement.

Cochran, who is used to working with Democrats, appeared genuinely frustrated because of their stance on Iraq funding.

"I'm having a harder time working with the Democrats than the White House," he said. "There haven't been any serious negotiations taking place. The Democrats are just saying 'no.' "