CNN - White House, Republicans attempt budget compromise

WASHINGTON -- The White House and congressional Republicans are $10 billion away from a budget deal, fighting over what seems like a ton of money for average Americans, but represents only a fraction of the trillion-dollar budget.

Both sides have dramatically different ideas about how much of the people's tax dollars should be spent, and where the money should go.

The parties have another week to settle their differences before the temporary spending measure funding the government runs out. Budget talks resume on Monday.

Education is on the radar screens of both Democrats and Republicans.

"The debate is not so much about money anymore as it is about values, priorities, direction," President Clinton recently told a gathering of the nation's teachers.

Clinton specifically wants to hire 100,000 more teachers to reduce class sizes. Republicans want to spend money on education too -- but they would give states the power to decide how to allocate it.

Other budgetary sticking points:

Both parties want to spend more to fight crime. But Clinton would devote funding to getting 50,000 more officers on the streets, while Republications would let cities and counties decide how to use federal money.

Clinton wants $600 million to protect more federal lands from development.

Clinton would spend $2 billion more than Republicans to promote U.S. interests overseas.

"The White House wants more money spent in a number of areas, and if they will come up with cuts in other areas, we'll be able to accommodate these, I think," said U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

After a week of partisan news conferences, analysts say the debate may be more about next year's election than this year's budget.

"Both parties try to position themselves (as) being on the side of the average voter, and using government to help them. And they appeal to the voters, through philosophical arguments, about how best to do it," said Robert Bixby of the Concord Coalition. The group bills itself as a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to eliminating federal budget deficits while protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

White House, Republicans attempt budget compromise

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Friday, October 22, 1999