House Republicans, openly defying President Bush's call for spending restraint, pressed ahead yesterday with a $275 billion highway and mass transit bill that exceeds a White House spending ceiling, bestows thousands of projects on lawmakers' districts and requires Congress to consider adding more money two years from now.
...The legislation would authorize federal spending for highways, bridges, rapid rail and safety programs over the next six years.
...in using the popular transportation bill to advertise his tough position on spending, the president appears to have badly miscalculated the mood of members of his own party.
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...The legislation would authorize federal spending for highways, bridges, rapid rail and safety programs over the next six years.
...in using the popular transportation bill to advertise his tough position on spending, the president appears to have badly miscalculated the mood of members of his own party.
I suppose it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that this president appears to have badly miscalculated a number of things. On the other hand, it also appears that he doesn't read external signs. Rather insulated from the world at large.
Sweetening the House measure are about 3,000 parochial projects for home districts -- double the number approved in the previous long-term bill, passed in 1997.
Well, after all, there may be a different president one day, but the seat in congress can be kept for years if your home district is served.
The money includes $15 million to build a road to a gold mine in Alaska. Could I just ask here who's going to get the benefit of that road? Is there a public benefit to that?
Rather than forcing House Republicans into line, as in the past, the White House's veto threats provoked an unprecedented revolt by congressional Republicans.
..."In the minds of congressmen, especially Republicans, they've met the president more than halfway, and he's still sticking it to them," Schick said. "The president picked the wrong fight, in [their] eyes."
..."In the minds of congressmen, especially Republicans, they've met the president more than halfway, and he's still sticking it to them," Schick said. "The president picked the wrong fight, in [their] eyes."
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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