G.O.P. Lawmakers and White House Cite a Growing Rift

WASHINGTON, March 28 — In the first sign of a major breach between President Bush and leading Republicans in Congress, many lawmakers complain that the White House is not sufficiently energetic in helping them in the November elections. But Mr. Bush's advisers contend, bitterly, that members of Congress have not appreciated his help and should be far more aggressive in defending the president.

The mounting tensions involve large and small differences, from policy disputes like Mr. Bush's failure to veto the campaign finance bill and to do more to win a seat on an appeals court for Judge Charles W. Pickering Sr., to concerns about the overall Republican party message.

Disenchantment with the White House was clear in interviews with J. Dennis Hastert, the House speaker, and Senator Trent Lott, the minority leader, who even as they insisted that relations were generally sound, went on to be unusually critical of the White House.