WASHINGTON—Democrats controlling the House are seeking to pad President Barack Obama's war funding request with $23 billion to help school districts avoid teacher layoffs.

They're also pressing for $6 billion to make up for a funding shortfall in Pell grants for low-income college students and lesser amounts to hire border patrol agents and help Mexico fight drug cartels.

The money is included in yet-to-be-released war funding legislation that's headed for a committee vote on Thursday.

In the Senate, which is considering companion war funding legislation, Republicans are poised to try to add billions of dollars to boost security along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The bipartisan press for additional money comes despite promises of election-year belt tightening.

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