Dems test GOP’s will to stay within spending limits

The House Appropriations Committee approved a $109.2 billion fiscal 2008 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs bill Wednesday on a 56-0 vote, after Democrats called a surprise roll-call vote aimed at testing the GOP's commitment to spending discipline.

The bill is $4 billion above President Bush's request, and Office of Management and Budget Director Rob Portman has said he will recommend Bush veto any of the 12 spending bills that exceed his top line.

A spokesman reiterated Wednesday that the administration will remain firm. But the will to pick a fight over spending will be severely tested by the military housing and veterans' bill.

"I wanted to demonstrate that if they do that, Congress will hand them their head," House Appropriations Chairman David Obey, D-Wis., said. "The fact is it is not credible for the White House to claim that they're going to veto that bill."

Republicans grumbled about the recorded vote, after the measure appeared to pass unanimously on a voice vote. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., called it a "sneak attack." But the timing was meant "to send a clear message to the administration" to coincide with the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day invasion, said House Military Construction-VA Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Chet Edwards, D-Texas.

"I make no apologies to anyone for asking for that," Edwards said. "To say it's a sneak attack to ask for a recorded vote ... on the anniversary of D-Day, on an appropriations bill that helps military veterans and families, is beyond the pale. It's absurd."

Veterans' health programs in the bill are slated to rise to $37.1 billion, a 7.5 percent increase over the current year after factoring in $1.8 billion Democrats added to the Iraq war supplemental.

The total is $2.5 billion above Bush's fiscal 2008 budget request, including about $1 billion to adjust for inflation and workload increases Democrats argue the administration did not properly account for.

An additional $604.3 million is included to increase funding for mental health and traumatic brain injury initiatives, as well as another $193 million to fully staff mental health and trauma centers.

Medical facilities would see an increase of $508 million above the request for maintenance and renovations, and there is an extra $69 million for medical and prosthetic research. There is also another $70.9 million for substance abuse programs, $23 million to aid an estimated 2,300 more homeless veterans, and $12.5 million extra for expanded outpatient services for the blind.

In addition to veterans' benefit increases, the measure funds housing projects for about 70,000 soldiers and their families returning from deployments in Europe and Korea at about $8.2 billion, matching the request.

It also includes $2.8 billion to help meet the administration's plans to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps over the next five years.

"I don't see that bill getting vetoed. If it does, I see it getting overridden," said House Defense Appropriations ranking member C.W. (Bill) Young, R-Fla., who as former full committee chairman had his share of battles with OMB.

The committee also approved a $31.6 billion Energy and Water measure, after a bipartisan group narrowly failed in an attempt to overturn a provision of the 2005 Energy Policy Act that makes it easier for utilities to build new electricity transmission lines.

The amendment by Reps. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., and Frank Wolf, R-Va., failed on a 35-30 vote, but the closeness guarantees the issue will come up again when the House debates energy legislation this summer.

Members like Reps. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., and John Peterson, R-Pa., voted "no" for fear it could hinder Energy Department efforts to provide power in their areas, while Wolf and others expressed concern that the law could provide license to build power lines through battlefields and other historic sites.

The underlying bill provides about $1.1 billion above the president's request to address climate change, including energy technologies aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions. About $503.5 million is provided for biofuels research, to try and tamp down demand for oil and eventually stabilize gas prices.

The measure provides $5.6 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, $713.4 million above Bush's request.

But it does not specify where the money would be spent, which touched off continued debate over transparency in the earmarking process. Obey plans to keep the initial House versions project-free because of lingering ethics concerns.

"It shows the American people a lump sum and tells them nothing about where their tax dollars are going to be spent. As currently drafted, this bill is an irresponsible dereliction of duty," said Appropriations ranking member Jerry Lewis, R-Calif.

Obey said members would have sufficient time to review projects before conference reports are finalized, including a chance to formally lodge written protests. But he said the delay was necessary because "this committee is unfairly taking a bath" in part due to the case of imprisoned former Rep. Randy (Duke) Cunningham, R-Calif.

"It's my responsibility to try to correct that problem in a way that protects the Congress, in a way which protects this committee, in a way which protects this institution and in a way which protects taxpayer dollars in the process," Obey said.