WASHINGTON -- The House passed a giant package of measures designed to tackle the housing crisis Thursday, but only after two days of bickering that signal turbulence ahead for the legislation.

Democrats and Republicans, abandoning the brief comity that helped them forge an economic-stimulus package earlier this year, argued over the procedures used to bring the bill to a vote. Another flash point was the millions in spending directed toward community groups Republicans said would fund Democrats' get-out-the-vote efforts.

The House voted 266-154 in favor of the centerpiece of the legislation -- $300 billion in federal loan guarantees -- despite a White House veto threat. The battle reflected the package's status as the biggest, most-comprehensive legislative response to the housing crisis likely to pass this year.

The heart of the legislation is a program to help struggling homeowners by providing them with new mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration. The guarantees would be provided if lenders agree to reduce the principal of a borrower's existing mortgage.

Several Republicans characterized the plan as a bailout for lenders, speculators and irresponsible homeowners. Democrats responded it would cost little compared with the government's potential exposure in the rescue of Bear Stearns Cos. Looming over the bill is the threat of a White House veto, especially on the question of cost.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the loan-guarantee program could cost the federal government $2.7 billion through 2013. At the same time, the administration has said it is willing to compromise on certain aspects of the bill.

"They are sending mixed signals," complained House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D., Mass.). "I'm waiting for the next letter to come from the Navajo code talkers."

Almost 40 Republicans, many from states hard-hit by the foreclosure crisis, voted with Democrats to pass the measure, providing solid bipartisan support but falling about a dozen votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a potential veto. "Being from Ohio, it's hard for me not to support it," said Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce.

Focus now turns to the Senate, which has the option of taking up the House legislation. That is unlikely. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd, (D., Conn.), has said he wants to unveil his own version of the legislation May 13.

Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog, blasted the bill as a sop to the housing industry. "We've seen this before," said Ryan Alexander, the group's president. "Congress responds to a crisis by creating blunt instrument from whatever relevant legislative proposals have been waiting in the wings."

The original bill directed $100 million to four community groups, including $25 million each for housing programs run by the National Council of La Raza and the Urban League. Republicans balked, saying the money was meant to help Democrats in an election year.

The language was stripped out before the bill came to the floor. But La Raza, the Urban League and scores of community organizations are still in line for housing-development money, plus $230 million for the remainder of this year and another $230 million for fiscal 2009 for mortgage counseling.

"It's a political-ally slush fund," said Rep. Jeb Hensarling, (R., Texas), chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, which opposed the package.

"This is simply out of line. This is meant for Americans to be able to get affordable housing," said Steven Adamske, a spokesman for Mr. Frank.

The fighting is a sign the brief bipartisanship of earlier this year is likely over as the congressional clock runs down. Republicans want to cast Democrats as ineffective leaders pushing a liberal agenda. House Democrats want to protect vulnerable members from taking difficult votes. The dynamic leaves little room for legislative work.

On the housing bill, Democrats didn't allow Republicans to propose alternatives or offer amendments. Democrats plan equally tight control over a war-funding bill set for debate next week. In protest, Republicans spent much of the past few days forcing procedural votes that stalled action on the housing legislation -- dilatory tactics that could be used next week, too.

The bill, if enacted, also overhauls regulation of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, and modernizes the FHA. It would also shield mortgage servicers from lawsuits when they modify the terms of a borrower's mortgage, and add an additional standard-property-tax deduction of up to $700.

The House passed a separate bill that would provide states up to $15 billion to buy, refurbish and then sell or rent foreclosed homes, ignoring another White House veto threat.

--Sarah Lueck and Louise Radnofsky contributed to this article.

Lack of Clarity may Hit Realty Funds’ take-off

Can UAE real estate boom dodge US slow down?

Democrats Face Rescue Backlash

Mortgage Firms Cool to Principal-Cut Plan

Treasury Pressures Mortgage Firms