*EPF507 04/04/2003
U.S. Senate, House Pass Supplemental War Spending Bills
(Congressional Report, April 4: Measures allocate about $80 billion) (600)

Washington -- The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have each passed separate supplemental spending bills -- the largest ever considered by Congress -- that would give President Bush approximately $80 billion to pay for the war with Iraq, the global war on terrorism, additional foreign aid to allies, bolstering homeland security and providing some relief for the commercial airline industry.

"The House and Senate took strong and decisive action to provide our troops with the resources necessary to fight and win the war in Iraq, to respond to increased homeland security needs, and to strengthen the capabilities of our allies," Bush said April 4. "As the bills go to conference [committee], we will seek to combine the best elements of the House and Senate bills to help ensure that the final legislation includes both the funding and flexibility necessary to respond quickly and effectively to any changing needs at home and abroad."

Bush asked Congress for $74.7 billion a week ago.

The Senate approved its spending measure of approximately $78.7 billion by a vote of 93-0, and the House approved its measure of approximately $77.9 billion by a vote of 414-12. Both bills were passed late April 3.

The two measures are now scheduled to go to a conference committee - - composed of key members from both chambers - - to resolve differences and send out a bill reflecting final spending figures for approval. Bush asked for a final supplemental spending bill by April 11.

Here's a partial breakdown of the two bills' allocation of funds:

-- Both bills contain $62.4 billion for military operations in Iraq and the ongoing war on terrorism. Of that amount the Senate version includes $35 billion for operations and maintenance in all military services, the reserves and National Guard; $1.3 billion to pay for fresh stocks of ammunition, cruise missiles and other weapons; $13.7 billion for additional military pay; and another $11 billion for a Defense Emergency Response Fund. The House of Representatives version provides $25 billion in general funds, $12 billion for rising personnel costs, $4.8 billion to replenish expended weapons and munitions, and $1.8 billion for intelligence activities.

-- The Senate bill provides $7.85 billion in foreign aid, including $1 billion for Israel, $1.1 billion for Jordan, and $2.47 billion for Iraqi postwar reconstruction. Also included are unspecified amounts for Egypt, Turkey and Afghanistan that will be determined by the president. The House bill provides $8 billion in foreign aid, including $3.5 billion for Iraqi reconstruction; $1 billion in economic aid for Turkey; $1.1 billion for Jordan; $1 billion for Israel and $50 million for humanitarian and refugee assistance for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; $300 million for relief, resettlement and reconstruction activities in Afghanistan; $105 million to assist Colombia in anti-terror and anti-narcotics efforts; and $16 million to the Centers for Disease Control to battle the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The House, however, unanimously banned any U.S. funds from going to French, German, Syrian or Russian companies for postwar reconstruction projects in Iraq.

-- The Senate bill contains $4.68 billion to bolster homeland security measures, while the House version includes $4.25 billion for homeland security.

-- The Senate proposes $3.5 billion to support the commercial airline industry, and the House proposes to spend $3.2 billion for the airline industry.

(Note: In the above text, "billion" equals 1,000 million.)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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