The Hindu : Huge war package but fetters on spending

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2003

International

International

Huge war package but fetters on spending

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

Washington april 14. Barely three weeks after asking for a supplemental for the war efforts in Iraq and related issues, the U.S. President, George W Bush, got a $80-billion package from Congress even as law-makers refused to allow the Pentagon, the Homeland Security Department or the White House unquestioned rights on how some of the moneys could be spent.

Mr. Bush who was keen on getting the supplemental spending bill at the very earliest is expected to sign the measure quickly. The Senate voted on Friday and the House of Representatives had a rare session on Saturday and approved the supplemental by a voice vote. Law-makers were eager to meet the April 11 deadline of sorts as Congress was getting into a two-week spring recess. The President asked for about $75 billions for his war in Iraq but the White House and the administration were under no illusions that law-makers would be adding to the tab — in the end the troubled airlines industry was further helped with nearly $3 billions; the severe acute respiratory syndrome took in $16 millions for further study; and some $140 millions went to local governments to administer the small pox vaccine and compensate people who were harmed by the inoculation. But the biggest cut in the $80 billions goes to the Pentagon which gets a little more than $62 billions which is intended for the war in Iraq and against terrorism; Homeland Security gets $4 billions; state and local police and emergency workers get $2.2 billions; and nearly $8 billions is for foreign aid mainly related to security concerns and by way of doling out economic assistance to those nations who need funds in the so-called Coalition of the Willing and generally others who are in the forefront of the War on Terrorism.

In giving the President what he needed to fight the war in Iraq and in the larger war against terrorism, law-makers made it very clear to him that neither he nor any of the departments getting money will be free to go about spending without Congressional oversight. For instance, Mr. Bush wanted a free hand on how $60 billions out of the $63 billions for the Pentagon could be spent. Congress would give him unfettered rights over only $15.7 billions; and even here Capitol Hill will have to be notified five days before any money is allocated.

Republicans joined Democrats in arguing that Congress would have to maintain its oversight functions.

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