Senate Republicans yesterday turned back the first of several Democratic attempts to add to proposed spending for homeland security next year, ensuring the issue a role in the 2004 congressional elections. A proposal by Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) to add $1.75 billion to the $29.3 billion appropriations bill for the new Department of Homeland Security was defeated on a largely party-line vote of 50 to 43 — 17 votes short of the 60 needed under Senate rules because the proposal exceeded budget allocations. But, just as they did last week in forcing a series of losing votes on initiatives challenging President Bush’s Iraq policy, the Democrats were seeking to make a political point. They plan other, more narrowly targeted efforts to increase anti-terrorism spending. The Democrats’ contention, disputed by Republicans, is that the administration and the GOP-controlled Congress are shortchanging the nation’s domestic security needs. Full Story
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