Congress' spirit of unity splinters over economy

WASHINGTON -- The bipartisan spirit that has dominated Congress since the Sept. 11 terrorist strikes is being strained, with clashes erupting between Democrats and Republicans over the economy, laid-off workers and other issues.

Fissures are opening between the two parties and also within each of them over measures aimed at reviving the stalled economy. Against GOP opposition, Democrats want to add provisions helping laid-off aviation workers to airline security legislation.

Saying the money was needed to pay for war, Republicans muscled small domestic spending cuts through a divided House subcommittee Tuesday. They have also applied pressure to accelerate work on energy legislation that many Democrats oppose. In addition, partisan fights erupted this week over trade and government benefits for unmarried partners.

"The normal force of congressional gravity is a return to partisan bickering," said Marshall Wittmann, who studies Congress for the conservative Hudson Institute. "The question is whether the leaders can prevent a free fall."

With the country focused on domestic security and possible U.S. military action abroad, party leaders have little taste for prolonged political combat. Top lawmakers who usually speak infrequently now consult regularly in an effort to avoid House and Senate floor fights. And relatively speedy action is still anticipated on airline security, anti-terrorism and routine spending bills.

The new comity produced a congressional authorization for the use of military force -- with just one dissenting vote -- and passage of a $40 billion package of emergency spending just three days after the deadly attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

"We're going to try to avoid political confrontation," Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said Wednesday.

Despite constant bipartisan meetings on the subject, perhaps the sternest test of unity is the effort to recharge an economy that many analysts think may sink into recession.

Top Republicans want to move quickly on economic recovery legislation; leading Democrats have expressed less urgency. The GOP wants to ensure a healthy economy in time for the 2002 elections; Democrats -- while still seeking internal consensus -- fear the revival of budget deficits and constant cuts in federal programs.

Each side vehemently opposes many of the other's ideas.

"That's labor pork," House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, said of Democratic spending proposals, referring to Democrats' union backers.

The GOP's push for tax cuts is "a pre-existing agenda," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas.