Report: GOP senators pushing off from Bush

By UPI

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- An increasing number of Senate Republicans may
break from U.S. President George W. Bush on an emergency war-spending
bill, GOP consultant say.

With the Republican Party sustaining unexpected losses in recent special
congressional elections, and the popularity of both the president and the
Iraq War waning, Republicans seem prepared to look ahead to the next
administration rather than continue supporting Bush, The Hill reported
Wednesday.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is preparing to take up the
administration's request for a supplemental spending bill for Iraq. Bush
has insisted he will veto the measure if Congress adds to the $169 billion
funding request or includes domestic spending in the bill.

Republicans expect the measure may be the only spending bill passed before
the November elections, and many GOP senators say they would support
adding billions of dollars in domestic spending, the Capitol Hill
newspaper said.

The measure could include a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq.
Senate Republican leaders are not sure they have enough votes to sustain a
filibuster of such a measure.

Minority Whip Jon Kyl of Arizona told The Hill Republicans might resort to
sustaining a veto of a withdrawal timetable, which requires fewer votes.

"Whatever we have to do to prevail, even if it is to sustain the
president's veto, we'll do that," said Kyl.