Republicans consider this a welfare subsidy, not a tax break.
Republicans are considering legislation to limit the President's use of the fund.
The Republicans, for their part, said they would concentrate on the budget but might consider the drunken-driving bill.
Such a migration could have two effects Republicans consider beneficial.
Republicans considered a change in their approach, which has been to try to present a bipartisan face at the proceedings.
Several Republicans are considering bipartisan legislation aimed at changing the war's course.
Senior aides said the proposal that the Republicans are now considering would raise the limit to $14,000 this year and to $30,000 by 2002.
While some Democrats were wavering early on, the Republicans never considered giving any ground at all.
Republicans had considered a legal challenge, contending that the election of a dead man raised constitutional questions.
But Republicans and Democrats alike considered such a move unlikely.