GOP Leaders See OK of New Spending

Determined to wrap up work on this year’s federal budget quickly, congressional leaders said Thursday that they probably would give President Clinton the additional spending for domestic programs he has been demanding.

At issue is an omnibus budget bill being negotiated by congressional and Clinton administration officials to finance much of the federal government after the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Clinton has asked Republicans to add more than $6 billion in domestic spending to the amount included in appropriations bills being drafted in Congress. The figure includes $1.1 billion for anti-terrorism initiatives and more than $4 billion for health, education and labor programs.

“We think we can approximate what he’s asked for,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bob Livingston (R-La.), provided the two sides can reach agreement on spending cuts or revenue increases to offset the cost.

Administration officials have proposed some offsetting cuts in Pentagon spending, but Republicans are resisting.

GOP leaders hope to bring the omnibus spending bill before the House and Senate next week under special procedures that would force members to vote up or down on the measure without a chance to amend it.