December 19, 2007
Senate OKs Unfettered Iraq War Funds
The Senate approved $70 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan yesterday, paving the way for President Bush's signature on a roughly $560 billion omnibus spending package.
The omnibus measure was headed for final passage in the Senate and will make a final stop in the House today before going to Bush's desk. The president's aides say Bush will sign the bill, as the addition of Iraq war funds without conditions was the final hurdle.
The war-funding amendment by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., passed 70-25. It adds roughly $39 billion to the House-approved package, which contained $31 billion only for Afghanistan operations, with some funding for protective equipment.
Based on a spending rate of about $6.6 billion per month, the cash infusion would appear to give the Army breathing room until around June before another supplemental is needed.
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