Oversight

Plans for stopgap spending bill complicated by Iraq funding

Given the tricky politics of Iraq, even routine legislation like a continuing resolution is proving a difficult discussion.

Oversight

New OMB chief to hold firm against excess spending

Despite $23 billion difference over appropriations, Jim Nussle says there is still time to avoid a train wreck.

News

Dems writing stopgap spending measure to last into November

Final decisions not likely to be made until shortly before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30.

Oversight

Senate passes transportation spending bill by veto-proof margin

Vote suggests support among Senate Republicans for Bush's threatened vetoes of domestic appropriations is not as strong as in the House.

Oversight

Senate votes to boost bridge repairs

Underlying bill is subject to President Bush's threat to veto measures that exceed his spending requests.

Oversight

Pell Grants cost shift gives appropriators funding leeway

Interest groups are hoping to benefit, but there could be pressure to simply trim bill’s overall price tag given President Bush's proposed veto.

Defense

Senate passes bill to fund VA, military construction

Underlying bill provides a combined $4.1 billion above Bush's request and $11.7 billion above the current year after accounting for emergency defense funds.

Oversight

Nussle confirmed as OMB director

Surprising number of Senate Democrats cross aisle to support former House Budget Committee chair.

Oversight

Senate turns to popular military construction bill

Chamber also confirms former House Budget Chairman Jim Nussle, R-Iowa, as director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Oversight

Senate returns to budget tangle

Prospects are growing that leaders will have to bundle appropriations bills into one or more "omnibus" spending packages.

Oversight

Advocates push Illinois Dem. to forsake maverick course on spending

Fiscal conservative was the only House Democrat to vote against the $607 billion fiscal 2008 Labor-Health and Human Services appropriations bill last month.

Oversight

Senate aims to avoid catch-all spending bill

Republicans would relish omnibus measure as evidence the Democrats have gone back on their pledge of open government.

Oversight

With much acrimony, House moves on Agriculture measure

Republicans upset there wasn’t more room for debate; partisan atmosphere threatens to spread into other work on spending bills.

Defense

Democrats say additional money is needed for war

Unbudgeted needs associated with surge of troops in Iraq could reach $30 billion or more, House appropriators estimate.

Oversight

Treasury chief calls on Congress to boost debt ceiling

In the past when lawmakers have failed to act fast enough, Treasury has been forced to borrow from government retirement funds.

Oversight

House approves Commerce-Justice-Science spending bill

Measure exceeds Bush’s request by $2.3 billion, and did not pass by enough votes to sustain a veto.

Oversight

Bush invites congressional leaders to talk about spending, other issues

Democrats and Bush are separated by about $23 billion on fiscal 2008 spending.

Oversight

House passes Labor-HHS spending bill with veto threat looming

Measure exceeds President Bush’s request by $12.5 billion, or 8.8 percent – the biggest difference in any of the appropriations bills.

Oversight

House passes energy and water bill with veto-proof margin

Members now face bigger hurdles with the Labor-HHS spending bill, which exceeds President Bush’s request by about $12.5 billion.

Oversight

House slogs its way through spending bill earmark fights

Members take up Labor-HHS spending bill, which exceeds President Bush’s request by nearly $13 billion.