Report: GOP senators pushing off from Bush

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- An increasing number of Senate Republicans may break from U.S. President George W. Bush on an emergency war-spending bill, GOP consultant say.

With the Republican Party sustaining unexpected losses in recent special congressional elections, and the popularity of both the president and the Iraq War waning, Republicans seem prepared to look ahead to the next administration rather than continue supporting Bush, The Hill reported Wednesday.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is preparing to take up the administration's request for a supplemental spending bill for Iraq. Bush has insisted he will veto the measure if Congress adds to the $169 billion funding request or includes domestic spending in the bill.

Republicans expect the measure may be the only spending bill passed before the November elections, and many GOP senators say they would support adding billions of dollars in domestic spending, the Capitol Hill newspaper said.

The measure could include a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Senate Republican leaders are not sure they have enough votes to sustain a filibuster of such a measure.

Minority Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona told The Hill Republicans might resort to sustaining a veto of a withdrawal timetable, which requires fewer votes.

"Whatever we have to do to prevail, even if it is to sustain the president's veto, we'll do that," said Kyl.