Nation Briefly

WASHINGTON — By a 75-19 vote Tuesday, the Senate reversed President Bush’s cuts to education, health research and grants to local communities.

The Senate’s huge health and education spending bill totals over $600 billion and reverses reductions sought by Bush to health research, special education and funding for grants to community groups that help the poor, among others.

The Senate measure, which exceeds Bush’s budget by more than $10 billion, must be reconciled with a companion House measure passed in July before the legislation can be sent to Bush.

Another children’s insurance bill

House Democrats, convinced that President Bush blundered by vetoing an expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, plan to approve a similar bill this week even as the administration offered new concessions Tuesday. The Democrats’ revised bill would reduce the number of adults and higher-income families potentially eligible for the health insurance subsidies but doesn’t budge from the original $35 billion pricetag. Bush had recommended a spending increase of $5 billion over the next five years. On Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt hinted that Bush could recommend about $15 billion instead.

U.S. may delay missile system

The Bush administration has told Moscow it may delay activation of a proposed U.S. missile defense system in Europe until it has “definitive proof” that Iran poses a missile threat, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

No House censure for Rep. Stark

Republicans failed in an effort Tuesday to have the House censure Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., who said in a congressional speech last week that U.S. troops are being sent to Iraq “to get their heads blown off for the president’s amusement.” Without debate, the House voted 196-173 to kill the proposal to censure Stark for “his despicable conduct.” Stark apologized Tuesday on the House floor for making the remark.

Climate testimony cut, agency says

The White House severely edited congressional testimony given Tuesday by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the effect of climate change on health, removing specific scientific references to potential health risks, according to two sources familiar with the documents. A CDC official said that while it is customary for testimony to be changed in a White House review, these changes were particularly “heavy-handed,” with the document cut from its original 14 pages; it was six pages as presented to a Senate environment committee.

Registration of fertilizer sales

The House voted Tuesday to require the registration of sales and purchases of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, which has been converted into the explosives by terrorists. The bill orders producers, sellers and some purchasers of ammonium nitrate to register with the Department of Homeland Security and makes producers and sellers maintain sales records.

N.Y.: ‘Preppie Killer’ in drug sting

Robert Chambers, 41, the so-called “Preppie Killer,” who served 15 years in prison for strangling a woman in Central Park during what he said was rough sex, was in jail Tuesday after police said he repeatedly sold undercover officers cocaine out of his apartment. The 1986 slaying became the story of a privileged, prep school youth gone bad.

Maine: Birth control scaled back

A Portland school board will consider limiting student access to birth control at a middle school. Earlier this month, the Portland School Committee approved a plan that made King Middle School the first in Maine to offer a full range of contraception to students in grades six through eight. A new proposal would allow parents to block access to prescription contraceptives and would limit contraceptives to students at least 14 years old.

Florida: Discovery lifts off

Shuttle Discovery and its crew of seven thundered into orbit from Cape Canaveral on Tuesday after NASA determined that a small patch of ice on fuel tank plumbing posed no danger. Most if not all of the ice shook loose when the booster rockets and engines ignited. Astronauts will arrive at the international space station on Thursday.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.