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White House and congressional leaders reach late-night spending deal
November 5, 1999 WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Working late into the night, White House budget negotiators and congressional leaders reached a tentative deal on the first of the disputed spending bills that must be passed before Congress can go home for the year. 
Bargaining by telephone, the two sides agreed on a new $15.3 billion spending bill that finances many of the nation's international programs. As the final details continue to be worked out, the Senate on Friday is expected to pass fourth "continuing resolution" bill extending the deadline for the fiscal 2000 budget. The new "CR" would set a new deadline, next Wednesday. The original deadline was October 1. The agreed-on legislation provides $800 million more than the original GOP proposal, about $150 million less than the administration originally demanded. It includes funding for the Wye River Middle East peace agreement. Tough negotiations lie ahead on several other spending bills. Differences remain with programs ranging from education to the environment, to funding for additional policemen and payment of money owed the United Nations. But both sides say they hope that forging an agreement on international operations will overcome the major impediment, and smooth the way for the rest of the appropriations bills. The legislation requires congressional action and the president's signature. The schedule for that is not yet clear. |
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MORE STORIES:Friday, November 5, 1999
• House passes compromise international aid bill • In San Francisco, it's Brown vs. Ammiano in runoff • Bush fails reporter's pop quiz on international leaders • NHPrimary.com: Under new plan, state stays first on primary calendar • White House and congressional leaders reach late-night spending deal • EMILY's List backing first lady's Senate bid • Most GOP rivals agree to December 13 Iowa debate • Parker fighting for Mississippi governor's office • Bush pledges to avoid Louisiana caucuses • Governor's post-election 'Free at last' comments rile NAACP • Clinton, Hastert cooperate on revitalization incentives • Whopper of a farm deal draws Clinton praise, visit • Medicare and Medicaid are targets of organized crime | |||||||||