President Vetoes Spending Bills

President George W. Bush has vetoed a $606 billion spending bill, the first of a dozen appropriations bills meant to keep the government running this fiscal year. The Washington Post reports that the veto sets the stage for a showdown with Congress over national priorities; the president signed an appropriations bill that allocates $471 billion for the Defense Department.

Democratic leaders immediately accused Bush of putting the wrong priorities first. The bill passed with less support than would be needed to override the president's veto.