Dems aim to pass spending combo by Veterans Day

Both parties are beginning to prep for a pre-Thanksgiving budget showdown, as House and Senate appropriators put the finishing touches on a massive $700 billion-plus spending package for the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs and Education.

Negotiations have been proceeding for weeks, and conferees will meet formally to touch gloves Thursday, with a goal of filing the bill early next week in time to reach the House floor by mid-week. Democrats have no guarantee of success with that strategy, as President Bush probably would veto the bill and House Republicans have demonstrated they have the votes to uphold vetoes.

Democrats are planning to make it as difficult as possible for Bush and the Republicans to oppose the bill by sending the "mini-bus" package to him right around Veterans Day, which will be observed Nov. 12. The bill will probably contain another $50 billion-$70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with funding for wildfire suppression and about $10 billion above Bush's requests for social services, education, job-training and health research.

Bush proposed to cut Labor-HHS programs by $3.6 billion below last year's funding levels.

"Republicans cut priority needs here at home while giving President Bush a $500 billion blank check for Iraq," a Democratic leadership aide said. "Democrats are saying you need to respect our vets; you need to invest in our children -- you can and must do both. Republicans are afraid to remind people where they really stand -- with the president."

Republicans are already panning the approach, arguing it will not sell with the public or with members of its Conference. They call it a bullying tactic reminiscent of the recent debate over reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

"Using our troops and veterans as pawns to add more pork to Labor-HHS is a cheap political stunt and like everything else Democrats have been flailing at lately, it won't meet with much success," said a spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.

After sending Bush the bill in time for Veterans Day, he will have only a few days to react before the continuing resolution expires Nov. 16, also the date Congress plans to adjourn for the Thanksgiving recess. Bush does not have to sign the measure right away -- under the Constitution, he has 10 calendar days, not counting Sundays, to act.

Another continuing resolution will probably be necessary, as Congress does not return until early December. But Bush could "pocket veto" the measure during that time if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period. Bush could also sign the massive bill, while demanding Democrats find commensurate offsets within the remaining nine spending bills.