DeMint Criticizes Bush Cave-in On Housing Bill

By Daniel W. Reilly

(The Politico)  Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has earned a reputation for stalling Senate business and annoying Democrats, but today he turned his fire on President Bush.

Shortly after the White House backed off of its veto threat of a massive housing bill aimed at rescuing mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, DeMint bemoaned the Bush administration's flip flop.

"The president has decided he wants the bailout more than he wants to stand by his position to veto it," DeMint said.

The White House had threatened to veto the bill because it contains $3.9 billion in Community Development Block Grant [CDBG] funds, but that money was a huge priority for liberal Democrats in both chambers who see the money as a key to helping prop up distressed urban neighborhoods.

DeMint called the CDBG money a "slush fund" and said the federal government was showing "gross incompetence" with the housing bill.

But while DeMint may grab the Senate spotlight for a few hours this week, his position will be overrun by both chambers and the housing bill may be law by the end of this week.

Martin Kady II contributed to this report.