Budget Battle Edges Toward Overtime

As House and Senate negotiators huddled separately Sunday on the ninth and 10th floors of the legislative office building, several House Republicans mocked news that Kaine has been secretly preparing a media campaign targeting 26 GOP lawmakers. The program was first reported in The Washington Post on Sunday.

"I hope . . . he targets me," said Del. Leo C. Wardrup Jr. (R-Virginia Beach). "It will shoot my approval up by five points."

Said House Majority Whip M. Kirkland Cox (R-Colonial Heights): "It shoots a hole in his bipartisan argument, doesn't it?"

Discussions between the Senate and House have been testy and short. At an hour-long, face-to-face meeting Sunday afternoon, negotiators snapped at one another several times over taxes, borrowing and transportation.

"When you have a plethora of cash, as we do now, borrowing money is foolhardy," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman John H. Chichester (R-Northumberland).

"And raising taxes is not?" shot back Cox, who later added, "I'd like to have a new wing on my house, too, but I'm not going to do it this year, and I'm perfectly comfortable."

Said Chichester: "Then just sit back and don't do anything. I don't give a rip."

On Friday, lawmakers from the two chambers met for about a half-hour. At one point, Wardrup interrupted a Senate staff member who was explaining a proposed tax increase on the sale of homes.

"You make the statement that the rate hasn't increased for 50 years," Wardrup began.

"That's a statement of fact," staff member Neal Menkes quipped.

"Okay, fine," Wardrup said, flicking off his microphone.

Later, it was the senators' turn, as several hinted that the House budget was parochial in nature.