The Senate sent a supplemental war-spending bill back to the House on Thursday with more than $165 billion in war spending, expanded veterans education benefits and a host of domestic spending.

In doing so, the Senate also removed from the bill controversial domestic spending items, Iraq war policy provisions, and a $54 billion tax on the very wealthy that would have paid for the expansion of veterans education benefits. The changes, in part, were intended to avert a presidential veto.

When asked if the president would veto the bill in the Senate form, Sen. Byron L. Dorgan , D-N.D., said, “I think it makes it pretty hard.”

Several Republicans agreed.

“It was a veto proof vote, so it will make the veto harder,” said Sen. Mel Martinez , R-Fla.

House lawmakers — many likely to be irked by the Senate changes — are not expected to consider the amended legislation until after the week-long Memorial Day recess.

“There’ll be plenty of time when we come back to do our work’’ on the spending bill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif., told reporters.