Budget work continues; final vote appears likely Friday

Congressional Appropriations staffers are furiously writing the final fiscal 2001 spending bill with an eye to filing the $108.9 billion Labor-HHS appropriations measure in time for a House vote as early as Thursday.

But with several small items still open and the final package of spending cuts to reduce the bill from its high water mark of nearly $113 billion--as well as cut another $1 billion from other discretionary accounts--unresolved, several House and Senate leadership aides were pessimistic that the 106th Congress could adjourn before Friday.

The Labor-HHS bill also will incorporate by reference the three other outstanding FY2001 bills--Commerce-Justice-State, Legislative Branch and Treasury-Postal, according to a Senate leadership aide. The Commerce-Justice-State measure passed both chambers but was never sent to the White House because of a veto threat, while a combined Legislative Branch/Treasury-Postal package was vetoed.

The final bill also has provisions to restore funds to Medicare providers cut as part of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act and expand Medicaid, as well as the community renewal provisions of the tax bill, and immigration reform measures.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., urged Republicans to oppose several spending riders to the bill that are supported by various lobbyists, particularly an AT&T-backed provision that would change the FCC's cable ownership cap.

McCain warned, "These proposed rider provisions clearly seek to circumvent the proper legislative process for only one reason--to serve the needs of special interests."