DEMOCRATS URGE BUSH TO DROP PROGRAM 'SUNSET' PLAN FROM LINE-ITEM BILL

Democratic senators are recommending to President Bush that language creating a commission to "sunset" EPA and other agency programs be dropped from a bill giving the president line-item veto authority if the veto language is to succeed, Senate staff say. Bush is seeking line-item authority in an effort to control government spending by removing congressional "earmarks" from spending bills that often go to members' districts. The Senate Budget Committee June 20 approved S. 3521, the "Stop Over Spending Act of...