House Democrat readying 2008 war spending proposal
WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The senior House Democrat on military spending said on Wednesday that he will soon recommend more spending to address a $100 billion gap in funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations subcommittee for defense, told a budget hearing that a spending proposal would be ready for House leaders to review by the end of February.
President George W. Bush has requested nearly $190 billion in funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for fiscal year 2008, which runs through September. But disagreements between lawmakers and the administration over Iraq prompted Congress to appropriate only $86 billion, leaving a gap of more than $100 billion.
"We don't know what the consideration will be because that's a leadership decision. But it'll be ready," Murtha told Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, who appeared before his panel as witnesses.
England and Mullen both urged the lawmakers to provide the remaining sum as soon as possible.
"It'll be a little bit different than you requested," Murtha told the two defense officials. "We'll add that money back. At least I'll make that recommendation."
The Bush administration has submitted a partial supplemental request of $70 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for next year.
The Pentagon is expected to request additional funds for 2009 this spring, when defense officials will have a clearer idea of troop levels in Iraq into the coming year.
There are currently 158,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 29,000 in Afghanistan. (Reporting by David Morgan, editing by Jackie Frank)
Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations subcommittee for defense, told a budget hearing that a spending proposal would be ready for House leaders to review by the end of February.
President George W. Bush has requested nearly $190 billion in funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan for fiscal year 2008, which runs through September. But disagreements between lawmakers and the administration over Iraq prompted Congress to appropriate only $86 billion, leaving a gap of more than $100 billion.
"We don't know what the consideration will be because that's a leadership decision. But it'll be ready," Murtha told Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, who appeared before his panel as witnesses.
England and Mullen both urged the lawmakers to provide the remaining sum as soon as possible.
"It'll be a little bit different than you requested," Murtha told the two defense officials. "We'll add that money back. At least I'll make that recommendation."
The Bush administration has submitted a partial supplemental request of $70 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for next year.
The Pentagon is expected to request additional funds for 2009 this spring, when defense officials will have a clearer idea of troop levels in Iraq into the coming year.
There are currently 158,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and 29,000 in Afghanistan. (Reporting by David Morgan, editing by Jackie Frank)
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