11.   But he conceded that it also allowed Clinton to keep many of his favored education and environmental programs.

12.   But he has vetoed Republican attempts on the five remaining appropriations measures, saying they cut education and environmental programs too much.

13.   But it came after an hour-long debate dominated by discussion of spending on environmental programs.

14.   But the Republicans seemed to be resisting the next Democratic move, to add more money for environmental programs.

15.   But the NATO chief was unable to explain why the United States had withheld crucial information for more than a year from the U.N. environmental program.

16.   But since then, blessed with rapidly climbing state revenues, Pataki has stopped the talk of cuts and softened his image by favoring education and environmental programs.

17.   Clinton said the bills contained unacceptable cuts in environmental programs and would have eliminated his prized Americorps national service program that pays students for work in public service.

18.   Clinton wants smaller tax cuts aimed at middle-income taxpayers and more generous funding for health, education and environmental programs.

19.   Clinton has so far resisted calls for cuts in spending on Medicare health insurance programs for the elderly, education aid and environmental programs.

20.   Democrats hope to use the contract as a stick to beat Republicans, saying they have undermined Medicare, welfare and environmental programs.