Defying the White House, Republican senators led an effort to add $3 billion for border security to the homeland security spending bill and suggested they would join an effort to override any veto by President Bush, who has threatened to reject bills that exceed his spending goals. The measure was approved 89 to 4.

“On the issue of border security,” said the Republican leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, “Senate Republicans have not been pleased with the administration’s progress, and are not particularly reluctant to have a vigorous discussion with the administration about the appropriateness of adequately funding border security.”

As proposed, the measure adds another $3 billion in border protection to a $37.6 billion homeland security appropriations bill.

"We're on the verge here of a bipartisan accomplishment to actually seriously begin to secure the border," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said last night.

The White House, meanwhile, has criticized the homeland security bill as too expensive and yesterday threatened a veto.