Washington in brief

Senate votes to spend lavishly on highways

The Senate on Thursday approved a massive increase in spending for highways, bridges and public transportation, saying it would produce a million jobs and invigorate the U.S. economy.

The Senate passed the six-year, $318-billion bill 76 to 21, but the bill exceeds what the White House wants by more than $60-billion, and President Bush has threatened to veto it. The House of Representatives has yet to vote, but an early version weighs in at $375-billion.

Federal highway bills - which pay for everything from road maintenance to bus system subsidies, bike trails and unrelated pork - are difficult for lawmakers to vote against, so the only real question is how much they will cost. The last highway bill cost $218-billion; the Senate's measure would be a 45 percent increase.

A logjam between states and localities is keeping police, firefighters and other emergency first responders from quickly receiving federal aid, the head of the Homeland Security Department said Thursday.

Lawmakers pressed Secretary Tom Ridge to ensure federal funding goes to responders in cities that could be terrorism targets - without overlooking those in smaller towns and counties.

"We're ready to distribute every penny," Ridge said at a hearing of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security.

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