Parties Squabble Over Record Surplus
President Clinton unveiled a record $237-billion U.S. budget surplus and urged congressional Republicans to use some of the cash to repair rundown schools. The surplus for fiscal 2000, which ended Sept. 30, reflects the flood of tax revenue from the booming U.S. economy. The money has fueled an election-year battle over spending, with Clinton and Democratic presidential nominee Al Gore demanding more funds for education, health care, the environment, paying down the national debt and targeted tax cuts. The Republicans, led by their presidential nominee, George W. Bush, have generally championed more limited spending and broader tax cuts.
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