Re: I will hit you with my purse in return.
YOU DID IT!! Hit him again! Hit him!
Additional US aid in doubt
JANINE ZACHARIA
Aug. 12, 2002
The government is waiting anxiously to see if $200 million in extra aid approved by the US Congress last month will actually materialize.
The money, which was included in a $28.9 billion supplemental spending package, has been thrown into question because lawmakers exceeded President George W. Bush's request by $5b. The government says it needs the money because of shortages in the defense budget caused by increased security expenses.
While the US package is primarily directed for the war on terrorism, Bush's top priority, the recession and calls on Bush to act fiscally responsible make it unclear whether he will sign it into law.
"There's a real climate in Washington to be responsible," one source tracking the issue said. "We're really waiting on the edge of our seats [for Bush's decision]," one Jewish American official said.
The pro-Israel lobby worked hard to ensure the aid would make it into the bill. It is unclear whether lobbyists had pushed to make it part of the president's original request, a move that would have guaranteed the funding.
Bush has until August 23 to sign or veto the bill, which also includes $50 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians. The Senate voted 92-7 in favor of the bill. There was similar strong support in the House.
jpost.com |
