GOP Bid to Cut White House’s Budget Rejected

The House refused to trim the White House budget by the cost of last month’s helicopter golf outing as Democrats staved off Republican attempts Wednesday to embarrass President Clinton.

By a nearly party-line 236-195 vote, lawmakers rejected a GOP proposal to reduce next year’s planned $270-million spending for the White House by $13,129.66.

That was the cost of a May 24 ride David Watkins, director of White House administration, and two other aides took on a military helicopter to the presidential retreat at Camp David, Md., and on to Holly Hills Country Club near New Market, Md., for a round of golf.

Republicans said the wrist-slap provision was aimed at forcing the White House to reveal more information about the use of government helicopters. It was one of several GOP measures aimed at forcing disclosure of internal information by a White House they said was overly secretive.

“This is not a partisan amendment,” said Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R-Md.), who sponsored the provision. “All of us in government are affected when trips like this helicopter golfing trip occur.”

Watkins said he was scouting the golf course for a possible presidential visit. He was fired over the incident and eventually agreed to repay the cost of the flight. The White House has since limited staff use of military helicopters.

Because of that, Democrats said Bartlett’s proposal was unnecessary.

“The White House was properly embarrassed by this incident,” said Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.). “It was wrong. . . . This incident is over.”

Among the rejected Republican provisions was an amendment by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) trimming $5 million because he said the White House has not provided full information on the people who accompanied Clinton on his D-day anniversary trip to France.