WASHINGTON (AP) – Congress voted overwhelmingly yesterday to give President Bush about $80 billion for initial costs of the invasion of Iraq and other anti-terrorism efforts after thwarting conservatives trying to lash out at Turkey and other nations for hindering the U.S. war effort.
Senators approved their measure 93-0 and the House adopted a similar bill by 414-12, underscoring lawmakers’ resolve to back U.S. forces in the field. The votes put the two chambers on track to send Bush a final package by his deadline of April 11, which would be uncommonly swift for a Congress that received his request for $74.7 billion only a week ago.
Though lawmakers reined in Bush’s request to control most of the funds and added aid for airlines and other items, the vote gave him a welcome victory on Capitol Hill, a week after the Senate voted to cut in half his plan for new tax cuts.
“It’s imperative that we complete this bill … and get the bill on the president’s desk,” said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.).
The lopsided votes masked partisan disputes that raged in both chambers over the measures’ funds for security at home. Both bills contained more than $4 billion for securing potential terrorist targets on America’s shores, which Democrats said fell billions short.
“As we support men and women in uniform in Iraq, it’s hard to understand how we can underfund the needs of our men and women in uniform in the front lines of homeland defense in America,” House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), told reporters.
Besides domestic security funds, both bills contained more than $62 billion for the Pentagon and roughly $8 billion for aid to countries supporting U.S. efforts overseas. Included was money for replacing satellite-guided munitions, setting up a tribunal to try Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for alleged war crimes and letting state and local agencies bolster security at home.
The House plan came to $77.9 billion, the Senate’s nearly $80 billion as it grew throughout the day with amendments. The money is for the next six months and would come from enlarging federal deficits, which could approach $400 billion this year and next.
Besides domestic security funds, both bills contained more than $62 billion for the Pentagon and roughly $8 billion for aid to countries supporting U.S. efforts overseas. Included was money for replacing satellite-guided munitions, setting up a tribunal to try Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for alleged war crimes and letting state and local agencies bolster security at home.
The House plan came to $77.9 billion, the Senate’s nearly $80 billion as it grew throughout the day with amendments. The money is for the next six months and would come from enlarging federal deficits, which could approach $400 billion this year and next.
Though victory loomed, the administration found itself having to lobby legislators at both ends of the Capitol to control their anger at erstwhile U.S. allies who have impeded the war effort.
The White House is reluctant to antagonize any countries that may play a postwar role in Iraq for reconstruction, humanitarian aid or peacekeeping, or in other counterterrorism fights.
“Despite recent difficulties, the president is devoted to maintaining the strategic partnership” with Turkey, White House national security adviser Condoleezza Rice wrote. A letter by Richard Armitage, deputy secretary of state, said it would be “particularly damaging to our diplomacy” to strip the $1 billion Bush has requested for Turkey.