Bush's veto lifts stakes in budget battle

George W. Bush approved a $40bn increase in the defence budget but vetoed a $5bn increase for health and education programmes, sparking a fierce debate with Democrats over spending priorities - Nov-14

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0103605c-7c12-11dc-be7e-0000779fd2ac.html
Bush's veto lifts stakes in budget battle

By Andrew Ward in Washington

Published: November 13 2007 22:05 | Last updated: November 14 2007 00:20

George W. Bush on Tuesday approved a $40bn increase in the defence budget but vetoed a $5bn increase for health and education programmes, sparking a fierce debate with Democrats over spending priorities.

The veto marked an escalation in Mr Bush's stand-off with Congress over the 2008 federal budget, with the president threatening to block a series of appropriations bills that breach his proposed spending limit.

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