Clinton to Congress: Time's up on spending bills

Late last week, President Clinton signed the latest continuing resolution extending government operations through the end of this week. But he issued a statement this weekend declaring the days of weeklong CRs over, saying any future extensions "must be at most for a very few days."

Setting the stage for staff level negotiations Monday over the FY2001 Labor-HHS appropriations bill, Clinton used the statement to highlight his school reconstruction proposal--a priority with tax and spending components that Clinton aides will make a top issue in this week's talks with Republicans. "The need is undeniable," Clinton said. "The average American school is now more than 40 years old."

Other priorities touted by Clinton's statement include hiring new police officers, expanding health care and passing the community renewal/New Markets tax incentives. Clinton argued that the seven day CR he signed allows "more than enough time to pass a responsible budget."

Meanwhile, bipartisan congressional staffers and administration representatives met Monday on the stalled fiscal 2001 Labor-HHS conference report. But without the chairmen and ranking members of the two chambers' Labor-HHS Appropriations subcommittees or OMB Director Jacob Lew present, no new ground was broken on the $106 billion measure.

Clinton's statement also insisted on congressional support for his proposals to hire new teachers, fund after-school programs, improve teacher quality and turn failing schools around. But Republicans argue that the funds should be distributed to the states in the form of block grants, to give local school districts the flexibility to spend the money on whatever they need most.