WASHINGTON - Republicans are hoping to push a delinquent $373 billion spending bill through the Senate this week, even as Democrats use the debate to criticize the GOP over food labeling, overtime pay and other issues.
Having conceded that the bill will pass without the changes Democrats have demanded, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said yesterday he was working with top Republicans to try finishing the measure as soon as this week. Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., expressed the same hope.
The bill - financing job training, housing and most domestic programs through September - cleared the House last month. President Bush was poised to sign the legislation, which carries his proposals to boost spending for the AmeriCorps national service program and AIDS spending abroad, and to create federal vouchers for poor District of Columbia students.
Though final passage seemed inevitable, opponents continued railing against provisions they oppose. The bill opens the door for proposed administration rules letting employers deny overtime pay to many white-collar workers and a White House-backed two-year delay in mandated country of origin labeling for meats and produce sold in stores.
What we hope to do is try to keep this issue from vanishing
said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who wants the label requirement to take effect in September, as is scheduled under current law. 17
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