14 April 2003
Congress Sends President Largest Supplemental Package In History
(Congressional Report, April 14: FY 2003 Supplemental Appropriations)
(400)
Washington -- The U.S. Congress has approved a $78.5 billion fiscal
year 2003 supplemental appropriations bill that will help pay for the
war in Iraq, bolster homeland security measures, fund the continuing
global war on terrorism, and assist with selected urgent domestic
needs.
The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved a House-Senate
conference report April 12 on the largest supplemental spending bill
ever approved by Congress. The measure goes directly to President Bush
for his signature because the Senate agreed that it would accept the
version of the legislation approved by the conference committee.
The measure contains $62.8 billion in defense funding for military
operations in Iraq and the global war on terrorism, according to the
Congressional conference report. The total includes $15.7 billion in
general discretionary funds, which the Bush administration can utilize
as needed, $31 billion for operations and maintenance, $13 billion for
increased personnel costs, $1.3 billion for new procurement and $1.8
billion for intelligence activities.
In addition, Congress provided $4.5 billion for measures designed to
bolster homeland security, which is approximately what the president
requested.
The measure also provides $8 billion to assist allies with their
efforts related to Iraq and the war on terror, and for assistance to
Iraq during its initial relief and reconstruction period. The total
includes $3.5 billion for Iraqi relief, and that includes $2.5 billion
for a new Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund that the White House can
direct through the State Department, Defense Department and other
federal agencies.
The foreign aid funding provides:
-- $1 billion for Turkey as long as the president certifies Turkey is
cooperating in the war against Iraq;
-- $1.1 billion for Jordan for economic and military assistance;
-- $1 billion to Israel for activities related to fighting
international terrorism, and $50 million for humanitarian and refugee
assistance for the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip;
-- $337 million for relief, resettlement and reconstruction in
Afghanistan; and
-- $105 million to assist Colombia in anti-terror and anti-narcotics
efforts.
In addition, the supplemental funding package provides $3.7 billion in
relief to the U.S. commercial airline industry, and $16 million for
the Centers for Disease Control to assist with the CDC's efforts to
counter the ongoing outbreak of SARS ( Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome).
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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