WASHINGTON — Seeking to end a months-long standoff with President Bush, the House on Monday night approved an omnibus $516-billion spending bill that hews closely to the White House's budget limits but shifts billions of dollars to the Democratic majority's priorities.
The 1,482-page measure, which would fund most of the federal government for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1, was approved 253-154.
Lawmakers then voted 206-201 to add $31 billion for military operations in Afghanistan, but the bill includes no money for the war in Iraq. The Senate, as early as today, is expected to add $40 billion for Iraq. The bill would then return a final time to the House.
House Democrats came up with the political two-step to allow antiwar members to first vote for a budget that increases popular programs, then against one with war money. The bill is expected to pass the House the second time on the strength of Republican votes.
The catchall spending bill is needed because only one of the 12 annual spending bills -- the one that funds the Pentagon -- has been signed into law. The other 11 bills, which fund all of the other federal agencies, are wrapped into the unwieldy package.
Some of its most controversial parts are not related to spending but policy changes.
Although the bill includes $3 billion in emergency spending to tighten security along the border, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) assailed a provision that he said would eliminate the requirement for double-layered fencing along 700 miles of the southern border.
The bill also includes a noncontroversial provision repealing the 1985 law banning the use of federal funds to build a tunnel to extend Los Angeles' subway to the city's Westside.
Some Democrats made clear their displeasure with having to settle for less money for their priorities or risk a continued showdown with the White House that could shut down the government, which is operating on a stopgap measure that expires Friday.
"In the face of an intransigent president and his allies in Congress, this legislation is the best we can do for the American people," said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.).
The White House threatened a veto Monday because the bill "fails to provide the needed funding for our troops in combat," but indicated it was pleased that Democrats cut their spending demands, a signal Bush is likely to approve it when the war money is added.
