House OKs $123 billion in bipartisan, belated push

WASHINGTON -- The House gave rapid approval Thursday to $123 billion for this year's education, health and labor programs as lawmakers continued a bipartisan, if belated, push to finish the year's spending bills.

The measure, almost $14 billion larger than last year's, reflected a budget deal that President Bush and Congress struck two weeks ago. Members of both parties agreed to withhold contentious amendments to speed work on a measure that traditionally sees testy battles over abortion, schools and other issues that can last days.

After less than seven hours of debate that saw a handful of amendments rejected, lawmakers approved the measure by 373-43.

The final hurdle was cleared after Rep. Melissa Hart, R-Pa., withdrew an amendment that would have barred federal aid for any school dispensing morning-after birth control pills to minors. She said she will pursue her effort in separate legislation.

Most Democrats and Republicans want to clear housekeeping work so they can concentrate on countering terrorism and rallying the economy.

Many of them found further motivation from the big increases the bill would bestow on many programs, including elementary and secondary schools, after-school centers, the National Institutes of Health, and job training for workers who have lost their jobs. Included is $393 million -- $100 million more than last year -- for efforts against bioterrorism.

Overall, the measure would provide $7 billion more than Bush requested at the start of the year.

The bill's total is $396 billion. But more than two-thirds of it is for automatically made payments under Medicaid, Medicare and other programs.

So far, Congress has cleared none of the 13 annual spending bills for fiscal 2002, which began Oct. 1.

A measure temporarily keeping agencies functioning expires Oct. 16, so the House used a voice vote Thursday night to approve a bill extending that date through Oct. 23. Quick Senate approval was expected. Congress hopes to adjourn for the year by month's end.

Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its own $123 billion version of the labor, health and education spending bill containing similar spending increases. The vote was 29-0.