Clinton to Veto $12.7-Billion Foreign Aid Bill

The White House took a new hard line on spending Sunday, saying President Clinton will veto a $12.7-billion foreign aid bill today and will refuse to sign other key spending measures until Republicans address his priorities and ensure that the Social Security surplus is being protected.

The foreign aid bill was passed by the Republican-controlled Congress over the strong objections of Democrats, who complained that it contained no money to implement the Middle East peace accords and slights or ignores other Clinton initiatives. Republicans insist that they are doing the best they can under tough budget constraints but that the president is demanding a “blank check” for foreign aid.

With a Thursday deadline looming for Congress and the president to reach agreement on more than half a dozen fiscal 2000 spending bills, White House Chief of Staff John Podesta and economics chief Gene Sperling voiced impatience with the Republicans’ refusal to engage in year-end negotiations.