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The War Profiteers - War Crimes,
Kidnappings, Torture and Big Money |
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August 6th,
2007 - House Approves Pentagon Budget Minus the President’s War Funding |
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House Approves Pentagon Budget
Minus the President’s War Funding Associated Press August 6, 2007 The House early yesterday
approved modest changes to President Bush's record Pentagon budget proposal,
but Democrats signaled plans to resume a more contentious debate over the
Iraq war after the August recess. The House's $459.6 billion
version of the defense budget, approved on a 395 to 13 vote, would add money
for equipment for the National Guard and Reserve, provide for 12,000
additional soldiers and Marines, and increase spending for defense health
care and military housing. Minutes after the vote, the
chamber adjourned until after Labor Day. The White House criticized
Democrats for cutting Bush's request and effectively transferring $3.5
billion of the money to domestic spending programs. It is likely that the
cuts will be restored in the fall when Congress will consider another wartime
supplemental spending bill. The administration has not
threatened to veto the measure. The measure does not include
Bush's 2008 funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Democrats say they
want to consider that money in separate legislation in September. This
approach would set the stage for a major clash over the war; Democrats are
likely to try to impose conditions on the money. Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.),
a key ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), told reporters last week
that he backs only short-term extensions of war spending. The massive military measure
represents a nearly $40 billion increase over current levels. The Pentagon
would get another budget increase of billions of dollars through a companion
measure covering military base construction and a recent round of base
closures. The defense legislation
largely endorses Bush's plans for major weapons systems such as the
next-generation Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, which
has been beset by cost overruns. The Democratic military
budget would provide $8.5 billion for missile defense, about 4 percent less
than Bush's request but $1 billion more than current spending. The Army's
Future Combat System, a computerized system designed to transform the
service's war-fighting abilities, would absorb an 11 percent cut from Bush's
request. Fueled by those procurement
costs and war costs, the total defense budget will be significantly higher
than during the typical Cold War year, even after adjusting for inflation. The bill gives service
members a 3.5 percent pay raise. The administration objects and says its
recommended 3 percent increase is sufficient. The bill would also boost
the money spent to oversee military contractors, including $24 million for
the inspector general, and it contains a provision barring the establishment
of permanent bases in Iraq. External link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/05/AR2007080501422_pf.html |