Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo reversed course Monday and voted against a bill that would have established budgets for congressional offices and other Capitol Hill expenditures.

Originally, the Republican Crapo said he would support the spending plan, since it would also pay for security upgrades that have been planned since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Crapo still supports the security provisions, spokesman Lindsay Nothern said Monday, but thought the overall budget was too large and "very ill-timed." Crapo was troubled that one of the first appropriations bills of the session would bankroll congressional offices. "It sends the wrong message right now," Nothern said.

The House had passed a $3.7 billion version of the bill, HR 2918. The Senate approved a $3.1 billion version Monday on a 67-25 vote, with Crapo and Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, both voting no.

The two houses will now form a conference committee to seek a compromise.

Both houses are seeking significant increases in office expenses. The House approved $660 million for their offices, a $51 million increase. The Senate is seeking $425 million, up $25 million.

For more reading, check out my original post on the congressional office expense issue.

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