Partisian fights continue to hold up federal budget

Partisan bickering is disrupting budget talks between Congressionalrepublicans and President Clinton. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says thePresident isn’t holding true to his promises on Social Security and shouldtake another look at the bill Grassley is co-sponsoring. Grassley says his plan would ensure the Social Security Trust Fund is aroundfor many more decades while giving those who pay into it more options in howtheir savings plan earns money.President Clinton signed a 267-billion dollar defense spending bill intolaw, but criticized the Republican-led Congress for loading it with”pork-barrel” projects. Grassley says this situation of stalemates isnothing new or unusual.Grassley says one thing that’ll be different this time around is the factCongress learned a lesson two years ago –NOT– to again let the governmentbe shut down during budget talks.