Hoyer "sure" War Supplemental Will Exceed Bush's Request

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Wednesday he is "sure" that the cost of an upcoming war supplemental bill will exceed the administration's request for $108 billion, setting the stage for one final battle with President Bush on Iraq war policy.

"I am sure it will," Hoyer said when asked by a reporter if the bill would exceed Bush's request, "contrary to the administration's sending tablets down from the mount."

Bush has threatened to veto any bill that exceeds the $108 billion, as Democrats weigh attaching several domestic initiatives to the must pass bill, including infrastructure spending, unemployment benefits on others.

Some Democrats, however, remain wary of a protracted battle with the White House that could hold up funding for the troops.

Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) told Congressional Quarterly on Tuesday he would oppose adding a second stimulus package to the supplemental if it was sure to draw a presidential veto.

Hoyer, whose initials are "SHH," has so far been tight lipped on the Democrats' strategy for the massive bill.
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