Reporter contradicts Libby over CIA leak

WASHINGTON — Reporter Judith Miller testified Tuesday that former vice presidential aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby identified a CIA agent to her on two occasions on dates earlier than he has told investigators he first heard the information from another reporter.

Miller, the former New York Times reporter who spent 85 days in jail trying to avoid revealing these conversations, said Libby identified the wife of a prominent Iraq war critic as a CIA employee in face-to-face meetings June 23 and July 8, 2003.

Libby, then Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, told the FBI and a grand jury that he heard about Valerie Plame's CIA employment for the first time from NBC's Tim Russert on July 10, 2003. He is not accused of leaking Plame's name but rather of perjury and obstruction of the investigation into how her name was leaked.

Earlier Tuesday, the jury saw notes that Libby took on or about June 12 that indicated Cheney himself told Libby then that the war critic's wife worked at the CIA.

Democrats push big budget bill

Democrats have unveiled a massive spending bill combining the budgets of 13 Cabinet agencies with increases in aid for college students, while cutting President Bush's funding requests for foreign aid and closing military bases.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, Tuesday slammed Democrats' plans to advance the $463.5 billion measure through the House today without giving Republicans or rank-and-file Democrats a chance to offer amendments. But Democrats such as Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey of Wisconsin had little sympathy, saying Republicans wouldn't make tough budget choices before the election and didn't try to clean up the mess after in a lame-duck session.

The bill would freeze most federal accounts at 2006 levels, though there are numerous exceptions so agencies can avoid layoffs and hiring freezes, and for a few programs favored by Democrats such as health research and education.

Senate clears way for wage increase

The Senate cleared the way for an increase in the minimum wage Tuesday, but only with business tax breaks that House Democrats want removed.

Final Senate passage is expected this week, setting the stage for a round of negotiations between House and Senate Democrats over how to get the legislation to President Bush for his signature.

In a key test, the Senate voted 87-10 to end debate Tuesday, well clear of the 60 votes needed. Earlier this month, the House passed the same increase — from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over two years — without any tax provisions. Senate Democrats tried to push through the House version last week, but failed to get the 60 votes to end debate.

Seattle Times news services