Gannett News Service March 25, 2003
Oxley expects Congress to quickly give Bush more money for Iraq war
By Greg Wright
WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers eager to show support for U.S. troops likely will give President Bush $ 74.7 billion to continue the Iraq war before they recess in late April, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Michael Oxley said Tuesday.
Although the president suffered a defeat Tuesday in the Senate when his tax cut proposal was slashed to $ 350 billion, Oxley and Republican leaders said the country can afford both the war and a $ 726 billion tax cut.
The United States must boost the economy so jobs will be available for more than 250,000 troops when they return, said Nick Smith, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's spokesman.
"I think at this point you have to give (the Bush administration) the benefit of the doubt that they know what they are doing and know what the cost will be," Oxley said.
Despite the deaths of American and British soldiers and the capture of at least seven, Oxley said the war is proceeding well, with U.S. forces within 50 miles of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. However the Findlay Republican, who along with other lawmakers was briefed by Defense and State Department officials early Tuesday, said fierce fighting lies ahead and Iraq could use chemical weapons against coalition troops.
"Yes, I think the fact we're on the outskirts of Baghdad in four or five days is quite remarkable," Oxley said. "By any measurement, this has been successful to date."
Oxley warned that the U.S. economy could be in turmoil until the end of the war is certain, with investors being cautious and businesses reluctant to invest in new equipment. The Dow gained more than 900 points between March 12 and 24, when war became certain and investors were confident the conflict would end quickly.
But the market shed 307 points Monday, although it regained some of the loss Tuesday, after the weekend's setbacks in Iraq.
Oxley said he was unsure how many troops from his 4th Congressional District were in the war, although the area is home to several National Guard units, including the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield. The M-1 Abrams tank, which is reportedly performing well in Iraq, is also made at a tank plant in Lima in Oxley's district.
The plant, which is government-owned but run by General Dynamics, employs more than 600 local residents, according to the Global Security.org consulting firm in Alexandria, Va.
"We have a very conservative and patriotic district," Oxley said. "They understand good from bad. They have an innate sense of what Saddam is all about."
Graphic: IRAQ-LOGO posted Feb. 5 on GGN2.
Copyright © 2003, Gannett Company, Inc.
