House deadlocked on DHS budget; Bush threatens veto

Republicans in Congress managed to stall action until early this morning on the first of twelve Democratic spending bills to come before the House. As it happens the victim was a bill which sharply boosts DHS budget. The White House also weighed in with a stiff threat to veto the bill since it provides a 6 percent increase over President Bush’s February budget request. Note that Bush has never vetoed a domestic spending bill.

The House adjourned after 2 a.m. with no resolution announced, but Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) hinted there was a chance of some agreement when lawmakers return later in the day.

The bill under consideration would provide $37.4 billion for the budget year beginning 1 October, a 6 percent increase over Bush’s request and a 13 percent increase over levels approved last year. The additional funds, among other purposes, would hire 3,000 more border agents and nearly triple Bush’s request for grants to train and equip first responders. Bush’s February budget submission seeks to cap spending at Congress’ annual discretion at $933 billion, with the bulk of a $60 billion increase devoted to defense and homeland security. The Democratic budget plan would add $23 billion for domestic programs such as education, health care, and personnel costs, and shift another $3.5 billion from the Pentagon budget to non-defense accounts.

The homeland security measure increased border enforcement spending and offers a slight increase for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including a big increase to purchase explosives detectors at airports. The Coast Guard’s troubled Deepwater program would absorb a more than 50 percent cut from current levels.