THE ONE-PARTY SYSTEM AT WORK
Democrats Say Will Back Bush on Iraq War Spending
Sat March 29, 2003 11:11 AM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats pledged support on Saturday for President Bush's request for $75 billion to fund the war in Iraq, but said Bush's long-term budget plans slight domestic needs to pay for tax cuts.
"We're going to give President Bush strong support and cooperation for the emergency funding he's requested to support our troops and for humanitarian aid," Sen. Byron Dorgan of North Dakota said in the Democrats' weekly radio address.
"On the longer-term budget for next year, we're going to continue to have an aggressive debate about that," he said.
Bush sent Congress his request for $75 billion in emergency funds to pay for the war and provide humanitarian aid in Iraq, and to reward allies.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed a budget plan for next fiscal year starting on Oct. 1 with less than half the $726 billion that Bush sought in new tax cuts over the coming decade. Democrats and a few moderate Republicans cited concerns of rising deficits and looming war costs.
Congress is expected to work the next two weeks before its spring recess to send Bush the emergency war money and to work out differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions to complete next year's budget plan. The House of Representatives approved all of Bush's tax cuts.
"Frankly, I don't think his next-year's budget adds up," Dorgan said. "The president proposes large spending increases, much of it for the military; very large tax cuts, mostly for upper income taxpayers ... and the largest federal budget deficits in history."
Dorgan said the Republican budget plan does not provide enough money for schools, veterans' benefits, providing a prescription drug benefit under Medicare, or beefing up protections against terrorism.
"Some of the money that the president wants to use for tax cuts for upper-income Americans could be used for these important priorities," Dorgan said.
reuters.com |
