Senate Approves $63 Billion More for War in Iraq
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (AP) — The Senate agreed Thursday to spend an additional $63 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as it passed a bill to finance military spending.
The measure was approved 98 to 0 after senators added money to help track down Osama bin Laden and to fight the opium trade in Afghanistan, which is helping the Taliban’s resurgence. The overwhelming support came despite Democrats’ increasing criticism of the Bush administration’s handling of the war in Iraq.
The bill now totals $469.7 billion. It grew more than $16 billion during a debate that began in July and was suspended during lawmakers’ four-week August recess.
Lawmakers expect $7 billion to be added during House-Senate talks on a compromise bill. The House passed its version of the Pentagon budget bill in June.
Read the rest at the NY Times
The measure was approved 98 to 0 after senators added money to help track down Osama bin Laden and to fight the opium trade in Afghanistan, which is helping the Taliban’s resurgence. The overwhelming support came despite Democrats’ increasing criticism of the Bush administration’s handling of the war in Iraq.
The bill now totals $469.7 billion. It grew more than $16 billion during a debate that began in July and was suspended during lawmakers’ four-week August recess.
Lawmakers expect $7 billion to be added during House-Senate talks on a compromise bill. The House passed its version of the Pentagon budget bill in June.
Read the rest at the NY Times
posted by iraqnam at 11:33 PM
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