Clinton rallies Dems around education, other budget priorities

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Hoping to turn up the heat on Republicans eager to defend their congressional districts, President Clinton headed to Capitol Hill on Thursday to rally fellow Democrats on budget issues that remain bogged down in Congress.

"I want to say to all of you that I believe that in these last two weeks and six days before the election, the best politics is for us to get as much done as we can for America here in the Congress of the United States," Clinton told scores of Democratic faithful packed into a Capitol Hill caucus room.

With Republicans and Democrats hoping to adjourn next week to concentrate on their November election prospects, the White House wants to make a final push to complete the $1.8 trillion federal budget for fiscal year 2001. The fiscal year began October 1, and interim spending bills are currently paying the tab for federal operations.

Both sides are huddling to put together positions on the remaining budget bills that must be completed before Congress adjourns. Clinton has signed four of the 13 measures, and basic agreements have been reached on all but three of the bills.

A roughly $350 billion funding bill for labor, education and health programs has been a particular point of contention. Clinton and the Democrats are holding fast to proposals to hire tens of thousands of additional teachers, as well as build and modernize public schools.

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"The time has come to stop the delays, stop the foot-dragging, stop the obfuscating. It is time to fight for the American people and against a Republican education bill that does not addresses the needs of our children, our parents and our educators," House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Missouri, told the raucous crowd of Democrats.

GOP congressional leaders argue that the money should go instead to local districts, which would determine their own needs.

"The Republicans want local control and management of our schools, the president and the Democrats want Washington mandates. That's really what it's all about," House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, told reporters earlier Thursday.

But with just four months left in office, Clinton has made it widely known that he regards passing the education initiatives a part of his legacy.

"We need to stay here until we resolve this. We want 100,000 teachers, we want the school construction funds. We want funds to turn around or shut down failing schools and open them under new management," the president said.

Clinton takes aim at Bush

The president also pointedly rebutted several of Republican presidential hopeful George W. Bush's campaign themes, particularly on health care and education, as part of a GOP effort to "cloud" the issues before the American electorate. He said that Bush misled voters during Wednesday's debate when he took credit for legislation in Texas that allows patients to sue their HMOs.

"I almost gagged when I heard that answer on the patients' bill of rights in Texas," Clinton said. "Could you believe that? Here's a guy who takes credit for a bill that he vetoed."

President Clinton: "I believe that in these last two weeks and six days before the election, the best politics is for us to get as much done as we can for America here in the Congress of the United States."

He also disputed the Texas governor's assertions that the nation is experiencing an "education recession," particularly among minority and low-income students who test lower than their peers in most standardized exams.

"What are the facts? The dropout rate is down; the high school graduation rate is up; the college-going rate is at an all-time high; reading and math scores are up," Clinton said. "There has been about a 50 percent increase in the number of kids taking advanced placement courses, but a 300 percent increase in Latino children ... and a 500 percent increase in African-American kids."

Clinton said the Republican presidential and congressional campaign strategies were one in the same: "Cloud the issues, things are doing well, maybe we'll get by."

Bush campaign spokesman Ari Fleischer said Clinton "just can't resist being Al Gore's campaign manager." "The more the president involves himself in the campaign, the more it will hurt Gore with ticket-splitters and independents who will decide this election," Fleischer added.

Clinton vows to make budget battle a 'day-to-day' fight

On the budget front, The White House had agreed to three week-long continuing resolutions to keep the federal government operational in the new fiscal year, but signaled impatience with the slow-moving process last week when it hinted that Clinton would soon only sign "stopgap" measures that expire after one or two days.

"I just think you need to go out here and get everything done you can," Clinton said. "I will stay here with you. If we don't finish by Wednesday, we're going to day-by-day continuing resolutions."

Although eager to defend their narrow five-seat majority in the House of Representatives, Republicans have expressed frustration and weariness over making concessions to the White House. Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Oklahoma, vowed Thursday that the GOP would not be stampeded on the outstanding budget issues.

"I think we're winning. I think our members are more composed than theirs in trying to make sure we get out of here in the right way. I don't think our members are wanting to give them a blank check," said Watts, chairman of the House Republican Conference.

But despite the spending complaints, negotiators on both sides of the aisle have padded most of the budget bills to adhere to Clinton's final spending priorities -- as well as to fund projects at home for lawmakers facing tight re-election contests.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle

Congressional Democrats charge that Republicans are neglecting their legislative duties by scheduling just one or two days of work each week -- a move that allows lawmakers to take extra long weekends to campaign in their home districts. The short work weeks have left the Capitol quiet compared with the annual frenzy of activity before lawmakers go home for the year.

"I think it's sort of the combination of 'West Wing' and 'Seinfeld.' We meet once a week, but nothing happens," Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota, quipped Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the Senate did pass a $78 billion agriculture spending bill, which Clinton has indicated he will sign. The measure also eases restrictions against sales of U.S. food and medicine to Cuba and would allow some imports of lower-cost prescription drugs.

But disputes remain over a $37 billion bill to fund the Commerce, Justice and State Departments. Clinton has been pushing a measure to grant amnesty to some long-term illegal aliens; the GOP favors a compromise that would allow families to stay in the country, but stop short of granting amnesty.

Republican efforts to block a federal lawsuit against tobacco companies are also keeping the measure bogged down. In addition, a $15 billion bill for international aid remains caught up in what has become an annual dispute between Clinton and conservative Republicans over funding for overseas family-planning groups that support abortion rights.

Reuters contributed to this report.