The House Appropriations Committee got down to business this week and approved four bills for full floor consideration. You will note that all of them exceed the president's request. Given OMB Director Rob Portman's warning that he will recomend that the president veto any bill over the president's request, the veto pen might run out of ink before all spending bills are completed. Appropriations Bills Approved by Appropriations Committee (billions of dollars) Bill Appropriated Amount Over President's Request Energy & Water 31.6 1.2 Homeland Security 36.3 2.1 Interior & Environment 27.6 1.9 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs 109.2 4 Also: Dana has some interesting stuff to say about the Military Construction & VA bill