lily
08-06-2007, 11:35 PM
Well, it's a start. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/05/AR2007080501422.html?wpisrc=newsletter)
House Approves Pentagon Budget Minus the President's War Funding
Associated Press
Monday, August 6, 2007; Page A04
The House early yesterday approved modest changes to President Bush's record
Pentagon budget proposal, but Democrats signaled plans to resume a more
contentious debate over the Iraq war after the August recess.
The House's $459.6 billion version of the defense budget, approved on a 395
to 13 vote, would add money for equipment for the National Guard and
Reserve, provide for 12,000 additional soldiers and Marines, and increase
spending for defense health care and military housing.
The White House criticized Democrats for cutting Bush's request and
effectively transferring $3.5 billion of the money to domestic spending
programs. It is likely that the cuts will be restored in the fall when
Congress will consider another wartime supplemental spending bill.
The administration has not threatened to veto the measure.
The measure does not include Bush's 2008 funding for the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Democrats say they want to consider that money in separate
legislation in September. This approach would set the stage for a major
clash over the war; Democrats are likely to try to impose conditions on the
money.
Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), a key ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(D-Calif.), told reporters last week that he backs only short-term
extensions of war spending.
The massive military measure represents a nearly $40 billion increase over
current levels. The Pentagon would get another budget increase of billions
of dollars through a companion measure covering military base construction
and a recent round of base closures.
The defense legislation largely endorses Bush's plans for major weapons
systems such as the next-generation Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor
fighter jet, which has been beset by cost overruns.
The Democratic military budget would provide $8.5 billion for missile
defense, about 4 percent less than Bush's request but $1 billion more than
current spending. The Army's Future Combat System, a computerized system
designed to transform the service's war-fighting abilities, would absorb an
11 percent cut from Bush's request.
Fueled by those procurement costs and war costs, the total defense budget
will be significantly higher than during the typical Cold War year, even
after adjusting for inflation.
The bill gives service members a 3.5 percent pay raise. The administration
objects and says its recommended 3 percent increase is sufficient.
The bill would also boost the money spent to oversee military contractors,
including $24 million for the inspector general, and it contains a provision
barring the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq.
House Approves Pentagon Budget Minus the President's War Funding
Associated Press
Monday, August 6, 2007; Page A04
The House early yesterday approved modest changes to President Bush's record
Pentagon budget proposal, but Democrats signaled plans to resume a more
contentious debate over the Iraq war after the August recess.
The House's $459.6 billion version of the defense budget, approved on a 395
to 13 vote, would add money for equipment for the National Guard and
Reserve, provide for 12,000 additional soldiers and Marines, and increase
spending for defense health care and military housing.
The White House criticized Democrats for cutting Bush's request and
effectively transferring $3.5 billion of the money to domestic spending
programs. It is likely that the cuts will be restored in the fall when
Congress will consider another wartime supplemental spending bill.
The administration has not threatened to veto the measure.
The measure does not include Bush's 2008 funding for the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Democrats say they want to consider that money in separate
legislation in September. This approach would set the stage for a major
clash over the war; Democrats are likely to try to impose conditions on the
money.
Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), a key ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
(D-Calif.), told reporters last week that he backs only short-term
extensions of war spending.
The massive military measure represents a nearly $40 billion increase over
current levels. The Pentagon would get another budget increase of billions
of dollars through a companion measure covering military base construction
and a recent round of base closures.
The defense legislation largely endorses Bush's plans for major weapons
systems such as the next-generation Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor
fighter jet, which has been beset by cost overruns.
The Democratic military budget would provide $8.5 billion for missile
defense, about 4 percent less than Bush's request but $1 billion more than
current spending. The Army's Future Combat System, a computerized system
designed to transform the service's war-fighting abilities, would absorb an
11 percent cut from Bush's request.
Fueled by those procurement costs and war costs, the total defense budget
will be significantly higher than during the typical Cold War year, even
after adjusting for inflation.
The bill gives service members a 3.5 percent pay raise. The administration
objects and says its recommended 3 percent increase is sufficient.
The bill would also boost the money spent to oversee military contractors,
including $24 million for the inspector general, and it contains a provision
barring the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq.