Clinton vetoes 1 percent budget cut

President Clinton Wednesday vetoed a 1 percent across-the-board cut to federal agencies' budgets.

Clinton sent the appropriations bill for Labor and Health and Human Services and the District of Columbia back to Congress, calling the 1 percent cut irresponsible.

"In adopting an across-the-board reduction, the Congress has abdicated its responsibility to make tough choices," Clinton said. "Governing is about making choices and selecting priorities that will serve the national interest. By choosing an across-the-board cut, the Congress has failed to meet that responsibility."

The across-the-board cut would have affected spending in virtually every federal agency, but would have spared the 4.8 percent pay raises due civilian and military employees in January 2000. However, the administration said the cut would have cost 48,000 military personnels' jobs and may have led to civilian layoffs.

Although there were no budget meetings Wednesday between the White House and the congressional leadership, the fiscal 2000 endgame continued to grind along on several fronts, as GOP leaders worked on a counteroffer on the fiscal 2000 Foreign Operations appropriations bill and fleshed out how they may move the Interior and District of Columbia spending measures. But still open are larger questions of how much of the $6 billion to $8 billion in additional spending the Clinton administration wants will get into the remaining five bills-and how it will be paid for.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., Wednesday said there has not been "much progress in the past 24 hours," adding, "It's in our interest to work through the weekend to get this finished."

But he also warned Republicans that Democrats would not cave on appropriations issues just so Congress can adjourn by next Wednesday. A White House official said he expects Clinton will sign another continuing resolution if negotiations are not finished by this Friday, when the current temporary spending measure expires. Despite the crunch of appropriations and other issues, aides say the House may not be in session Friday.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young, R-Fla., suggested the administration mightbe willing to agree to an across-the-board discretionary spending cut of up to 0.8 percent, as opposed to the 1 percent cut Clinton vetoed.