President Bush flexed his political muscles at Congress Tuesday, telling lawmakers that he will veto any bill raising the minimum wage above $4.25 an hour and that he has the votes to back him up.

"I don't know when there'll be an official announcement but I've made my decision to go forward with certain clarifications," Bush told reporters in an unscheduled meeting with Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole in the Oval Office.

Bush made the wage veto threat in anticipation of a debate in the House that begins Wednesday and could come to a vote Thursday. He showed reporters a letter signed by Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole and 34 other senators agreeing to support his veto.