WASHINGTON -- President Bush is pressuring lawmakers to finish the remaining 2005 spending bills quickly or face a hold on appropriations at 2004 levels.
Lawmakers return to session Nov. 16 to address the still unapproved measures and Bush said he wants the appropriations bills approved quickly and in line with the limits on discretionary spending already discussed.
However, Hill aides tell UPI the White House is threatening to force lawmakers to pursue a one-year continuing resolution on all unapproved bills, effectively keeping funding at 2004 levels and lower in key areas like education, if they do not complete action in a timely manner.
But it remains unclear if the House and Senate GOP leadership would succumb to Bush administration pressure and approve such a measure if the appropriations do not gain quick approval -- likely by Thanksgiving -- but the threat could serve to push members from both parties looking for most spending into line.
