Bush Approves $82 Billion in Supplemental Funding
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With $76 billion of the $82 billion bill earmarked for defense programs, lawmakers note that the total cost of Operation Iraqi Freedom has surpassed $200 billion, money spent on top of the regular defense budget, and has added to the national debt.
“To date, 217 billion in American taxpayer dollars have gone to fund the war in Iraq,” said Rep. George Miller, D-Calif. “We were told our allies would share the cost of the war. We were told Iraqi oil would pay for the cost of the war. Now, it is clear there was no plan.”
The defense allocation includes $17.4 billion for personnel, $37.1 billion for operations and maintenance, $17.4 billion for procurement and $587 million for research and development. Also included is funding for construction, drug interdiction and revolving budget accounts.
“The biggest part of this bill is for warfighters,” said Rep. C.W. “Bill” Young, R-Fla., chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. He said the Bush administration’s request was modified to include money for weapons, ammunition and force-protection gear, which lawmakers who have visited troops in the field say is needed.
It includes $1.4 billion for armor, night-vision goggles and other force-protection equipment for troops rotating into Iraq, said Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
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$50 billion more expected to be requested.
Congress setting aside $50 billion reserve fund for next year.
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Nearly $2 billion will support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, addressing some of the most critical remaining security and reconstruction needs.
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