WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Led by Senate President pro tempore Robert Byrd, D-W.V., Senate Democrats on Wednesday prepared to fight a Republican administration to increase defense and anti-terrorism spending. Arrayed against Byrd for Thursday's vote are most congressional Republicans and the Bush administration, which is promising to veto any spending increase.
The battle is over spending. Byrd added $7.5 billion in extra spending to the $317.5 billion defense appropriations bill under consideration, because of his belief that more funds were needed to pay for the expanded anti-terrorism, homeland defense and bio-terror prevention. He also attached money promised, but not yet authorized, to help New York City recover from September's terror attacks. Bush has insisted that he would not sign a bill that exceeds the $317.5 billion level.
After the Senate Republican leadership Wednesday accused Byrd of exploiting the current terrorism concerns and recession for political gain, Byrd met with reporters to rebuff the claims. Byrd -- who has served in Congress since 1952, including two stints as majority leader between 1976 and 1989 -- disputed the claim, and argued that as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee he had a constitutional obligation to check the power of the president on spending matters.
"Those who think that I am playing politics are those who think only in terms of political gain," he said. "They have never risen to an understanding of the Constitution -- which was written before there were such things as political parties. Little did I realize that it would get me into the political gutter, in an instance when the American people's safety is at risk here."
Republicans oppose the spending requests because of an agreement between Congress and the president over spending levels made just after the Sept. 11 attacks. This deal -- according to Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and Republican Conference Chairman Rick Santorum, R-Penn., who have led many of the attacks on Byrd -- is necessary to keep Congress moving through the required spending bills so Congress can adjourn.
Byrd denies Republican claims, generally made on background or anonymously, that Senate Democrats want to remain in session to keep Bush from having sole possession of the political spotlight.
"I am not interested in lengthening the legislative session or in burdening (Majority Leader Tom) Daschle, D-S.D, " he said. "This is based on my view of what is right, of the Constitution and where it should lead me."
Byrd also said the extra funding was developed by sending his staff into meetings with each of the major agencies involved in protecting national infrastructure, fighting terrorism and developing bioterrorism responses. He said each agency was asked what the minimum cost was of the steps they have taken since Sept. 11 and these figures were used to develop the $7.5 billion figure.
Bush administration officials have acknowledged that increased funding for many of these agencies will be needed, but has asked that Congress wait until next year to appropriate the money.
Senate Republicans are expected to raise a so-called "budget point of order" to the bill on Thursday, which will require 60 votes for passage. If the bill passes and the president vetos the bill, Democrats will need 66 votes to overturn the veto. Thirty-nine Republicans signed the letter in support for the president, indicating that Byrd and his allies face an uphill fight to win.
