Bush Education Plan Faces Senate Fight

Senate Democrats increased pressure on the White House to increase spending on education, warning they may hold up action on President Bush’s school proposals until a dispute concerning funding is resolved.

While White House and congressional negotiators have agreed on a wide range of policy changes to improve education, they remain far apart on funding for elementary and secondary education next year. Democrats are seeking an increase of $13 billion. Democratic negotiators said the White House has proposed an increase of about $1.3 billion.