US Senate passes $87.5 bn bill

04 November 2003
The US Senate on 3 November passed an $87,500 million bill for continuing military operations and aid in Iraq and Afghanistan, despite words of concern regarding the White House's position on Iraq. The bill, titled 'Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defence and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004', will allow for emergency supplemental appropriations for the financial year of 2004. These will centre on military and foreign affairs operations concerning Iraq and Afghanistan, and will include funds for Iraqi relief and reconstruction. The congressional vote will be seen as a victory for the White House, who said it demonstrates that 'America and the world are united to prevail in the central front and in the war in terror'. US President Bush has pressed lawmakers on the additional funds for some weeks, threatening to veto any bill that offered money in loan form. 'I commend Congress for providing vital funds to support our mission and our troops deployed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere,' Bush said in a statement after the bill was passed. 'These resources, coupled with the growing assistance of international donors, will provide essential support to make Iraq more secure and to help the Iraqi people transition to self-government. The funds will also enable us to continue our efforts to help Iraq become a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation that contributes to regional stability.'

Bush is facing strong criticism from prominent US politicians who say that throwing more money at Iraq will not solve the worsening security problem, and that extra help is needed. 'Every day when we see these bloody headlines of American soldiers being killed, we are reminded that had this been a global coalition - what we are facing here today could have been so different,' said US Senator Richard Durbin.

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