Party Leaders in House Reach Deal on War Funds

A two-year fight between the White House and Democrats over war funding has been resolved, the New York Times reports. House leaders reached a deal to allocate $163 billion for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through early next year. The measure, expected to be approved by the full House as early as tomorrow, also includes new education benefits for veterans and an extension of aid for the unemployed.

Veterans with three years' service will be entitled to four years of education at a state university. The wide-ranging spending bill also extends jobless benefits in all states by 13 weeks, and it provides $2.5 billion in aid for those hit by the Midwest flooding. White House officials took part in the talks between Democrats and Republicans, the Times notes, suggesting that President Bush is on board. (More Iraq war stories.)