Senate passes health funds that Bush opposes

By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate on Tuesday ignored a veto threat and easily passed legislation that would spend more than President George W. Bush wants this year for social programs including health care, education and job training.

By a veto-proof margin of 75-19, the Senate passed the bill that would cost $606 billion in the fiscal year that started Oct 1. Of that total, $152 billion funds programs that Congress tinkers with each year.

The rest of the money largely pays for federal retirement and health-care programs for the poor and elderly that the government is obligated to pay, unless lawmakers take on the difficult and unpopular task of reforming them.

Last week, the White House complained the bill topped Bush's February funding request by about $9 billion.

"I really can't believe the president wants us to cut funding for cancer research; cut children from the rolls of Head Start (preschool program for children from low-income families)," said Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, who steered the bill through the Senate.

Noting Bush's proposed reductions in home heating assistance for the poor, Harkin added, "All I can assume is that the president is getting some very bad advice."

Republicans have countered that lawmakers should work harder to rein in government, an argument made difficult by the fact that overall spending skyrocketed during the previous six years when they controlled Congress, and as Iraq war funding is rapidly approaching $600 billion.

The measure marked the second time in recent weeks Bush was challenged on spending for social programs. He recently vetoed legislation to expand a popular health-care program for children.