NFIB

Bush Budget to Increase Discretionary Spending 4 Percent
01/21/2003

Office of Management and Budget Director Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. said today that President Bush's budget proposal will include a 4 percent increase in discretionary spending, the Wall Street Journal Reports.

The increased funds will primarily contribute to homeland security measures, though the costs of a potential war with Iraq are not included.

Spending for 2002-2003 is expected to increase 9 percent, but Daniels said the President plans to lower the rate of increase to match the average family budget increase, which is also 4 percent.

The President will lay out his full budget plan in his State of the Union speech next week.