U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta advised Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-TN, of a possible transportation bill veto unless the legislation adheres to White House priorities.

In a Feb. 2 letter, the two Cabinet members said transportation spending should not rely on an increase in the federal gas tax or other taxes and should not be funded through bonds "that conceal the true cost to federal taxpayers." The letter also said highway spending should be paid for by its dedicated trust fund, not general government revenue, Reuters news service reported.

"If a surface transportation reauthorization bill that breached any of these three principles were presented to the president, his senior advisers would recommend that he veto the bill," the letter said.

Congress is considering legislation to renew spending for the nation's highways and transit systems for the next six years. Bills in the Senate and the House of Representatives look to spend much more than the Bush administration wants.