New price tag of jobs bill displeases White House

March 16, 1983

President Reagan will be forced ''to take a long, hard look'' at a recession-relief jobs bill before the Senate if its $5.1 billion price tag is not reduced, White House spokesman Larry Speakes said.

Mr. Speakes, stopping short of a direct veto threat, told reporters the President wants the jobs package to be near his original $4.3 billion proposal, and is concerned about ''substantial add-ons'' by the Senate. Mr. Reagan has flatly promised to veto the bill if it contains a proposal by Sen. Robert Kasten (R) of Wisconsin to repeal automatic tax withholding from dividend and interest income.