2nd of 13 Needed Spending Bills OKd

Congress passed a $2.35-billion measure Friday to run its operations in the next fiscal year, only the second of 13 spending measures needed to fund the government to be sent to President Clinton for his signature.

The Senate passed the bill on a voice vote just hours after Clinton signed stopgap spending legislation to keep the government funded through Oct. 9. The new fiscal year begins on Thursday.

After signing the measure, Clinton blasted the Republican-controlled Congress for failing to deliver appropriations bills needed to avoid an election-year government shutdown.

Republicans have said they expect to pass eight of the bills before Congress adjourns next month, and roll the remainder into a catchall bill to fund the government through the fiscal year.

“We’ll keep the government open by passing all the bills,” House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) told reporters.

Senate approval of the Capitol funding measure, which boosts spending by $62 million over current levels, came one day after the House passed it.

The bill proposes $1.65 billion for congressional operations, such as the Capitol police. The measure also has $697 million for other agencies that serve Congress, such as the Library of Congress and the General Accounting Office.

The bill does not include money for a proposed visitors center, which was discussed as a way to improve security after a gunman killed two Capitol police officers and wounded a tourist in July.

But the bill does include $5.6 million to increase pay for Capitol officers, who would get a cost-of-living increase; more money for working nights, Sundays and holidays; and salary boosts after working 15, 20 and 25 years.

The other spending bill signed by Clinton for the next fiscal year was a measure to fund military construction projects.