Homeland Security

Text: Bush Requests $74,700 Million for Iraq War, Aid and U.S. Security

(Asks Congress for current fiscal year funding increase) (690)
The White House March 25 issued a fact sheet on President Bush's
request to Congress for $74,700 million more spending for the year
ending September 30 to support military operations related to the war
in Iraq, provide humanitarian relief for the Iraqi people and help
defend the United States from terrorism.
Following is the text of the White House fact sheet:
(Note: In the following text, "billion" equals 1,000 million.)
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
March 25, 2003
Supporting Our Troops Abroad and Increasing Safety at Home
Today's Presidential Action
President Bush will submit a wartime supplemental budget request to
Congress that will:
-- Support the men and women of our Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi
Freedom and in the war on terror;
-- Provide humanitarian relief for the people of Iraq; and
-- Help to defend our homeland against the threat of terrorism.
Every item in the President's request is directly tied to Operation
Iraqi Freedom, the war on terror, or addressing the terrorism threat
to our homeland and the preparedness needs of our first responders.
The President urges Congress to pass this needed bill quickly and
without adding extraneous and unrelated spending. The total amount of
the supplemental request -- $74.7 billion -- is necessary and
affordable at less than 1 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
BACKGROUND ON TODAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ACTION
Supporting America's Armed Forces:
The supplemental requests $62.6 billion to support America's military,
both in Iraq and in other operations related to the war on terrorism.
This request includes funding to pay for transporting forces to the
region, supplying our war fighters, and maintaining vehicles, vessels,
aircraft, and equipment. It will also allow the Pentagon to replace
cruise missiles, smart bombs, and other high-tech munitions that are
currently being used by our Armed Forces. Significantly, it will help
to provide combat pay for active duty soldiers in the theatre, and it
will pay for America's Reservists who have answered the call to duty,
including their training, housing, and equipment.
Providing Humanitarian Relief to the People of Iraq:
The President has requested $2.4 billion to create a new, flexible
account focused on relief and reconstruction for the people of Iraq.
These funds will be used to provide food, water, medicine, and
clothing to the people of Iraq. They will also be used to repair
damaged infrastructure, restore important government services, and
keep schools open. The total commitment of resources for Iraq relief
and reconstruction, including those provided through the Department of
Defense, is approximately $3.5 billion.
Defending Our Homeland Against the Threat of Terrorism:
The supplemental request includes $4.25 billion to strengthen
America's defenses against terrorism. This funding will enhance the
security of our Nation during this period of heightened threat and
improve the preparedness of first responders. These funds must be
flexible to enable homeland security and emergency preparedness
officials to target resources based on the latest intelligence. The
President's request includes:
-- $2 billion through the Department of Homeland Security for state
and local terrorism preparedness and prevention. This request will
help state and local first responders with new equipment, training,
and better emergency planning. As part of Operation Liberty Shield, it
will also provide new funding to improve protection at critical
infrastructure facilities and secure high-threat urban areas
identified by DHS.
-- $1.5 billion to support expanded operations of the Department of
Homeland Security as part of Operation Liberty Shield. These funds
support Coast Guard forces deployed to the theater as well as
increased security at home to protect our ports and the deployment of
military supplies. It also increases resources for border and
transportation security, including additional screening of visitors
crossing the border; increased inspection of high-risk goods and cargo
at ports-of-entry; additional flight hours for airspace security; and
other security measures.
-- $750 million for other immediate and emerging terrorism-related
prevention and response requirements, including $500 million for the
Department of Justice and $250 million for other agencies throughout
the federal government.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)