Washington ? President Bush criticized a proposed Senate compromise on his Iraq war resolution Tuesday, saying it would tie his hands. Congressional leaders intensified efforts to find common ground ahead of a potentially divisive Senate debate but said differences remained.

Meanwhile, Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer brushed aside a congressional estimate that war with Iraq could cost U.S. taxpayers as much as $6 billion to $9 billion a month. The cost could be as little as “one bullet,” Fleischer said, should the Iraqi people take the initiative to depose Saddam Hussein themselves.

Bush pushed forward on a two-track approach, seeking the strongest possible wording in resolutions before both Congress and the United Nations.

He summoned House members of both parties to the White House, and they emerged saying they were close to agreement. “They’re down literally to the last few words,” said Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo. Bush was to meet today with top Senate and House leaders on Iraq.

The Senate could begin debate on the Iraq measure as early as today. The House is expected to take it up next week.

However, if the measure gets bogged down in the Senate, the House where support for the president’s position is stronger could wind up taking the lead, administration and GOP congressional aides suggested.

Both Democratic and Republican Senate leaders said approval of a resolution authorizing Bush to use military force against Iraq appears likely, but that negotiations continued over wording of the final version.

“I would like very much to work out some agreed-to language,” said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D. “We’re not there yet.”

Democrats and some moderate Republicans are resisting giving Bush a free hand, and want to put more emphasis on the role of the United Nations. They also want to emphasize disarming Baghdad over a change in regime.

An attempt at a compromise by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the panel’s second-ranking Republican, appeared to have considerable support.

But Bush suggested he couldn’t accept it as written. “I don’t want to get a resolution which ties my hands,” Bush told reporters. But he said he would continue to work with Congress on the wording “and I’m confident we’ll get something done.”