Democrats May Add Aid To War Bill

WASHINGTON — House Democratic leaders plan to add extended unemployment benefits and new education funding for veterans to President Bush's war funding bill while dropping lots of other party priorities.

Facing a veto threat, Democrats such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi don't want to try to add billions of dollars for roads, bridges, and other ideas such as heating subsidies for the poor and increases in food stamp benefits.

Democratic aides say Ms. Pelosi's plan is tentative and had not been widely shopped to rank and file lawmakers. Ms. Pelosi said yesterday that she had yet to brief her colleagues.

The still-emerging plan is a sign that Democrats want to avoid loading up the war funding bill and losing a veto and public relations clash with the president, who insists lawmakers keep his bill free of add-ons.

Senate Democrats have not signed off on the plan, and leaders in that chamber are working to tamp down demand from those seeking to load up the measure with additional funding.