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Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Brass Bounces Ball to Budget
Sounds like Dana spoke too soon. According to the AP, the supplemental request is now $99.7 billion.
WASHINGTON - The Pentagon wants the White House to seek an additional $99.7 billion to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to information provided to The Associated Press.
The military's request, if embraced by President Bush and approved by Congress, would boost this year's budget for those wars to about $170 billion.
One hundred billion was just too high, apparently.
Earlier requests submitted by service branches to Pentagon brass were considerably higher, but were trimmed back after meeting resistance at the White House and from key lawmakers.
And what is going on at the OMB? Yesterday, OMB Director Portman told USA Today the suplemental will be at least $110 billion, and now we're hearing it's about $10 billion less than that. But, at least details are emerging.
- $41.5 billion to cover the costs of ongoing military operations.
- $26.7 billion for replacing and repairing equipment damaged or destroyed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- $10 billion for body armor and other equipment to protect U.S. troops from attack.
- $2.5 billion to combat roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices.
- $2.7 billion for intelligence activities.
Posted by Craig Jennings
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