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WASHINGTON, DC-The areas of potential standoffs between theDemocratic-led Congress and President George Bush is spreading topotentially affect housing legislation. His latest veto threat isagainst H.R. 3074, the House appropriations bill for theDepartments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.The $105.6-billion bill would provide funding for federal housingprograms, including $38.7 billion for HUD.

The rhetoric deployed by both sides is predictable: Among Bush'scomplaints about the bill are the more than 2,000 earmarks for,among other things, "museums, zoos, gardens, gymnasiums, and golfcourses, and diverts funds from such priority purposes as housing,low-income families, bridge repairs and highways." Also, accordingto a White House statement, H.R. 3074 does not adopt any of Bush'sproposed terminations or reductions in programs "that have beenshown to be ineffective or duplicative, which would have savednearly $3 billion."