WASHINGTON -- President Bush has threatened to veto a spending bill that includes $5.1 million in federal funds for Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk.

The House last week approved $105.6 billion to fund the departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development for the 2008 fiscal year, 270-147, falling eight votes shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto. The Senate has yet to act.

The Bush administration issued a statement earlier in strong opposition to the bill, saying it included "irresponsible and excessive level of spending and objectionable provisions."

The bill would increase highway spending by $2.3 billion above the president's request -- a level that "would plunge the highway account into deficit by $5 billion in 2009," according to the administration.

Congress also failed to adopt any of the president's $3 billion in proposed cuts to ineffective or duplicative programs but included more than 2,000 earmarks for "museums, zoos, gardens, gymnasiums, and golf courses" that divert funds "from such priority purposes as housing, low-income families, bridge repairs and highways," the administration wrote.

All five members of Connecticut's House delegation voted in favor of the bill. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4, said that funding for Bridgeport, Stamford and Norwalk is critical for the region as part of a "continuing investment that helps to meet the challenges commuters in our region face every day."