White House, GOP squabble over defense spending

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld rushed to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for closed-door meetings with House Republicans to secure their support for the president's defense budget, which was jeopardized by GOP objections to White House demands for $10 billion in defense spending the president -- rather than Congress -- would control.

"They want a $10 billion slush fund and they're not ever going to get that," said one senior House aide, referring to the White House request for $10 billion for ongoing war expenses. "The leadership is in complete agreement that it has to be understood that Congress will decide how to spend that money. Even in war, the administration can't expect to be given a $10 billion honey pot."