I salute the Congress Critters who have decided the Bushistas cannot have unsupervised control of the $25 billion they've asked for.
Senator Kennedy is on point: the funds are to help protect the people in harms way while we kick sort out the disastrous policies that got us where we are today.
With Some Strings Attached, Senate Approves War Money
By CARL HULSE
WASHINGTON, June 2 - The Senate on Wednesday gave the White House $25 billion for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq but joined the House in putting new controls on the money despite administration requests for substantial freedom in how to use it.
On a 95-to-0 vote, senators agreed to add the money to a broad Pentagon spending plan, bringing the total cost of the legislation to more than $447 billion. Even Democrats who have raised objections to administration policy in Iraq did not oppose the spending, saying they viewed it as a necessity for troops in need of new armor and other vital equipment.
"I draw a distinction between this and an endorsement of the whole policy," said Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts. "I look at this as support for the troops."
Under the Senate approach, $22.5 billion of the money is devoted to specific Pentagon accounts while the administration is allowed to allocate $2.5 billion as it sees fit.
However, it cannot spend any of the money unless the secretary of defense consults with senior members of both parties and provides a written report at least five days before any shift. The Pentagon must also provide monthly reports on how it uses the money. The House is imposing similar requirements.
Posted by P6 at June 3, 2004 10:35 AM
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