Congress trims Bush anti-drug plan for Mexico

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives on Thursday voted to scale back President George W. Bush's plan to aid Mexico in its increasingly deadly war on illegal drug cartels.

The so-called Merida initiative -- which Bush proposed last October as a three-year $1.4 billion package providing aircraft, equipment and training -- initially was to offer Mexico $500 million in this fiscal year that ends September 30.

But lawmakers reduced this year's segment to $400 million in a 256-166 vote on legislation that also expanded benefits for U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and lengthened unemployment benefits for U.S. workers.

The Democratic-controlled chamber sought to restrict support for the Mexican military, while increasing resources for social institutions including the country's judiciary.

But analysts said the cutback was less than expected and described the vote as an important U.S. gesture toward Mexico.

More than 1,100 people have been killed in Mexico this year as drug gangs fight each other and security forces.

Across Capitol Hill, the Senate Appropriations Committee set Mexico's funding level at $350 million. Full Senate debate of the measure could come next week.

The House increased a part of the Merida initiative to fight drug trafficking in Central America, to $61.5 million from the $50 million the White House sought. Lawmakers also added the Caribbean nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to share the funds.