House Democrats Defeat Spending Bill

Legislation to fund many of the nation's health, education and social programs went down to a startling defeat in the House Thursday, led by Democrats who said cuts in the bill hurt some of America's neediest people.

The 224-209 vote against the $142.5 billion spending bill disrupted plans by Republican leaders to finish up work on this year's spending bills and cast doubt on whether they would have the votes to pass a major budget-cutting bill also on the day's agenda.

Democrats, unanimous in opposing the legislation, said it included the first cut in education funding in a decade and slashed funds for several health care programs. ``It betrays our nation's values and its future,'' said House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland. ``It is neither compassionate, conservative nor wise.''

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