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WASHINGTON IN BRIEF

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Earlier this week the White House warned lawmakers not to "micromanage" the treatment of Guantanamo detainees, saying any bill that blocked the administration from detaining people it has designated as "enemy combatants" could provoke a veto.

Congress Approves $2.9 Trillion Budget

Congress gave final approval to a $2.9 trillion budget plan that promises big spending increases for education and health care and a federal surplus in five years.

The Senate's 52 to 40 vote probably sets up veto confrontations with President Bush over spending increases and the fate of many of his expiring tax cuts.

Shortly before the Senate vote, the House passed the measure by a 214 to 209 vote without a single Republican voting for it.

The nonbinding measure is not sent to Bush for his signature or veto. Rather, it sets parameters for Congress to follow when writing tax and spending legislation later this year.

Envoy Named to Help Quell Somalia Violence

The United States has appointed a special envoy to Somalia to help the lawless country overcome violence, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said .

The new envoy is John Yates, a career diplomat for 40 years. Yates currently leads the Somalia unit at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, the capital of neighboring Kenya.

-- From News Services and Staff Reports

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