House centrists seek budget changes

Centrist Republicans hope to replicate the recent success of their Senate counterparts by boosting spending on health, welfare and education programs this year.

Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) and other centrists plan to hold a press briefing today in the Capitol basement to seek bigger budgets for programs such as the National Institutes of Health, student loans, heating assistance and job training.

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) got 27 GOP votes for his amendment to the Senate’s budget resolution that would add $7 billion for those programs.

The House Budget Committee plans to meet tomorrow to begin marking up the budget resolution.