WASHINGTON - House Republicans' $86.7 billion proposal for Iraq and Afghanistan includes money President Bush wants for an Iraqi witness protection program but drops funds he sought for that country's traffic police and ZIP codes.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young, R-Fla., unwrapped his version of the package Monday. He said he will probably fine-tune it when he tries pushing it through his panel Thursday but offered no details on how.

Regardless of whether he changes it, the House bill represents an attempt to defuse some of the political bombshells borne by the $87 billion version that Bush proposed a month ago.

Something similar to Bush's plan is expected eventually to pass Congress with strong bipartisan support. Even so, the bill has become a target for Democrats eager to weaken the president's hand and for some Republicans uncomfortable with its cost and some of its fine print.

Opponents say Bush's proposal, particularly the $20.3 billion for reconstructing Iraq, is too lavish at a time of record federal deficits and tight domestic spending at home.