Big Blow For House GOP

Surprising Defeat For Health, Education Spending Bill

(CBS/AP) 
"Americans everywhere can breathe a sigh of relief that there are still those in government who recognize a responsibility to work for them and not for a privileged few," Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo., said in a statement.

Some Democrats questioned whether the Republican Party misses the vote-gathering powers of Texas Rep. Tom DeLay, nicknamed "The Hammer." DeLay has stepped aside as majority leader because of legal problems and is being temporarily replaced by Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

"Not every blunt instrument is a hammer," joked Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.

But Blunt's office was quick to point out that House leaders are not responsible for corralling the votes on appropriations measures.

"It's certainly not a statement on the leadership," said Blunt spokeswoman Burson Taylor. "There are very, very disparate reasons for the opposition to this bill and really no overarching theme."

As for the energy amendments, they face opposition from the Republican majority and stood little chance of success. But they reflected attentiveness on Capitol Hill to high gasoline prices and fears of skyrocketing home heating costs this winter.

Some GOP senators already were unhappy with tax writers because the bill included a change in accounting methods that would hit the largest integrated oil companies with $4.3 billion in taxes. Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, said he would vote against the bill if the tax increase remained intact.

"Is it a windfall tax by another name?" Craig said.