WH: Bush would sign McConnell amendment

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The White House said Tuesday U.S. President George Bush would sign the omnibus spending bill only if it is "clean."

Presidential spokeswoman Dana Perino told the daily press briefing, the president would support the $70 billion measure proposed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

"He would sign it with a -- he would sign it with $70 billion clean -- 'clean' meaning no strings attached to the money, no withdrawal data," Perino said.

Asked why the administration would support a $70 billion measure, Perino said, "We think that that's a number that we need right now. It's a number that we believe can pass the Senate. And that's the one we will support."

"This is money that the troops need, it's not money that they want. And it's what General (David) Petraeus and the Defense Department has said is necessary in order to keep operations ongoing,' Perino said. "So that money is going to be essential to the effort. But for right now, the $70 billion is what the President will support if it comes to him in a clean bill. If it doesn't, then the president would veto the bill."