Bush seeks $48bn increase in defence spending
Biggest rise for 20 years would include $10bn for new wars
The decision means a return to federal deficits
for the first time since President Clinton's
budget proposals of February 1997."
Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles
Thursday January 24, 2002
The Guardian
President Bush is to seek the highest increase in military
spending for 20 years. The massive increase will include a
$10bn "war reserve" fund that would allow for expansion of
military activity outside Afghanistan.
Under the president's proposed budget, which is due to be
submitted to Congress on February 4, defence spending would
increase by $48bn (£33.6bn).
Mr Bush is also proposing an increase in spending on domestic
security of around $15bn.
This will create a federal deficit for the first time for five years.
In an address to the Reserve Officers Association yesterday, Mr
Bush gave the first details of his $2 trillion budget. His request to
Congress for a $48bn increase will bring the Pentagon's total
budget up to around $380bn.
The additional money will mean higher pay for the armed forces,
a popular move, and spending on more precision weapons and
for the building of missile defence systems.
"Buying these tools may put a strain on the budget, but we will
not cut corners when it comes to the defence of our great land,"
Mr Bush said to applause from the gathering.
On the domestic security front, Mr Bush said his budget plans
will include the hiring of 30,000 airport security workers, who will
become federal employees, and an additional 300 FBI agents.
There will also be additional costs for equipment to improve mail
safety in the light of the continuing fears of anthrax.
"There is a war on and the president's determined to win it," the
White House budget chief, William Daniels, said yesterday as
he spelled out the administration's thinking. "We have made
every effort to do what's required."
The heavy spending will mean a return to deficits of $106bn this
fiscal year and $80bn the following year. The budget projections
suggest a 0.7% economic growth rate this year, followed by
3.8% growth in 2003.
Mr Daniels said the spending would mean "an interruption in the
reduction of our national debt."
He said that it was hoped to resume reducing the debt in 2004,
adding "debt reduction is a very important objective". The
decision means a return to federal deficits for the first time since
President Clinton's budget proposals of February 1997.
The president has long been flagging the costs of both running
the war and of improving domestic security at public buildings
and airports.
He is likely to receive bipartisan support in most of his aims on
the defence and security side of the budget plans, although
there will be criticisms of his handling of other aspects of the
economy from the Democrats.
Other measures being pursued by the White House include
$190bn to be set aside over 10 years to fund Medicare reform.
Mr Bush has also already said that he would seek $1bn for the
poorest schools. He will also ask for an additional $1bn to help
children with special needs.
guardian.co.uk |
