Congress Defies Bush on Funds

The Democratic-controlled Congress has approved an extra $10 billion for education and health care, daring the White House to veto the extra funding for popular domestic programs that President Bush seeks to cut. The vote came as the Senate dealt the White House its first veto override on a water resources bill.

House Republicans say they are confident they can block any attempt to overturn a veto in the current clash. The White House had sought cuts to labor, health and education programs to help balance the budget by 2012. Democrats pointedly contrast the relatively small savings Bush is seeking against the huge sums demanded to fund the war in Iraq. (More House of Representatives stories.)