The administration has issued a clear veto threat over a wide range of cuts in this bill. The administration has issued a veto threat on this bill as well. Senate conferees are Senators Specter, Cochran, Gorton, Gregg, Craig, Hutchison, Stevens, Kyl, Domenici, Harkin, Hollings, Inouye, Reid, Kohl, Murray, Feinstein and Byrd. Given the narrow House margin and the threat of a veto, a difficult House-Senate conference could be in the making. However, the leadership wants to get this one to the President by the August recess, to avoid a last minute negotiating crunch.
Conference is in process.
Conference to take place as early as this week. This bill, which included the FY 2000 Supplemental, was signed this bill into law July 13. No conference has been scheduled, yet. The 216 to 202 vote reflected the partisan feelings surrounding the bill, as well as the view of some that Congress should not be granting a congressional pay increase. Thirty-nine Republicans voted against the bill.