Ensign opposes spending bill

Suzanne Struglinski

Thursday, Jan. 22, 2004 | 11:19 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was one of 13 senators who removed their opposition to an $820 billion spending bill today.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., continued his opposition; he voted both against ending a filibuster and its final passage.

Ensign broke party lines Tuesday and voted in favor of continuing debate on the giant spending bill that would fund 11 departments and other federal agencies. Senate Democrats have been delaying the bill since December in an effort to change some provisions in it. Reid also voted against the ending the debate on Tuesday.

Ensign's review of the megaspending bill was "lengthy and comprehensive," spokesman Jack Finn said. "It was clear to him early on that it was going to be tough to support it because of his strong belief that government spending must be curtailed."

Four other Republicans, incuding Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee, as well as Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vt., voted against allowing the bill to move forward Tuesday. Frist removed his opposition today.

Finn said Ensign told Republican leadership of his decision. He said there are no hard feelings and he didn't expect any backlash.

"(He) has developed a reputation for voting his conscience and staying firm on questions of principle, and he's respected for it," Finn said.

Ensign opposed many aspects of the bill, but mainly that it was "too big" as the country battles high deficits, Finn said.

Before today Congress had finished only seven of the 13 appropriations bills.

The House passed its final version of the bill Dec. 8. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., and Reps. Jon Porter and Jim Gibbons, both R-Nev., voted in its favor.