Posted on 03/02/2005 8:30:45 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - House Republicans will propose tacking about $1.8 billion in extra defense spending onto the $81.9 billion package President Bush (news - web sites) wants for the wars in Iraq (news - web sites) and Afghanistan (news - web sites), according to data obtained by The Associated Press.
At the same time, GOP lawmakers will propose cutting about $2 billion from the State Department and foreign aid portion of the measure, including some Afghan reconstruction aid, said a congressional aide familiar with the emerging bill. The measure also includes disaster-relief aid for Indian Ocean countries hit by last December's tsunami and other foreign expenses.
The changes underscore a desire by Republicans to pare some spending at a time of rampant federal deficits. It also reflects a bipartisan preference for beefing up military funds in a time of war despite some misgivings about parts of Bush's proposal.
Many lawmakers, for example, had said the president's request for $4.6 billion to make Army brigades more self-sufficient could wait until next year's regular defense bill. Even so, the money is in the bill being proposed by GOP leaders of the House Appropriations Committee.
"Though concerns are being raised ... the committee is compelled to fully fund the Army's request at this time by an urgency to address the significant challenges the Army now faces," a report accompanying the bill states.
The bill also spotlights a desire by lawmakers to assert more control over how Bush spends the money. It chides Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld for not submitting a required report on Pentagon (news - web sites) spending in Iraq and Afghanistan and orders additional, periodic reports.
Bush sent his request to Congress on Feb. 14. The package, combined with previously approved funds, would drive the totals spent so far on Iraq, Afghanistan and operations against terrorists beyond $300 billion for fighting, aid to allies and reconstruction assistance.
Bush's latest proposal is expected to pass Congress this spring largely intact. The Senate does not plan to write its version until April.
GOP leaders plan to push their package through the House within the next three weeks and were expected to describe it publicly on Thursday. Its overall price tag will be a bit below Bush's $81.9 billion total, said one congressional aide, who like others spoke on condition of anonymity.
Many congressional Republicans complained about portions of Bush's request, saying his proposal for about $4 billion in foreign assistance was excessive. Details obtained Wednesday of portions of the House bill reflect that unease.
About $570 million of the $2 billion Bush sought for Afghanistan's reconstruction would be cut, an aide said. That included $25 million for starting a law school and money for building courthouses and community housing and helping venture capitalists make investments.
An additional $400 million that Bush wanted Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (news - web sites) to control for U.S. allies — split between economic and military aid — was gone, the aide said. Some $150 million in food aid for refugees in Sudan's embattled Darfur province was also being excluded, said the aide.
Overall, the $74.9 billion Bush requested for the Defense Department was to grow to about $76.7 billion.
The Army and Marines, doing the brunt of the fighting, were getting more than Bush sought, especially for equipment. The House bill would add $2.2 billion to Bush's $16.1 billion request for procuring weapons and equipment, including extra money for armor, night-vision goggles and armored trucks and other vehicles.
Funds for operations and maintenance — which covers costs like flying aircraft and repairing trucks — were being cut.
The bill also includes unspecified money to build a headquarters for the new director of national intelligence. Bush has nominated career diplomat John Negroponte to that job.
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