Bush Wants $82 Billion More for Iraq, Afghan Wars

Next week, the Senate begins debate on the Iraq-Afghanistan Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill (or, as I call it, the MMI bill, More Money for Iraq), which is the Bush Administration request for $82 billion for a third year of US spending and war efforts mainly in Iraq.

The US has already spent about $200 billion invading, policing and trying to rebuild those war-damaged countries. All all-time high of 150,000 US troops presently occupies Iraq. Of the $200 billion, US authorities admit to "losing" $9 billion due to corruption and "weak controls."

Included in the administration wish list is $658 million for the world's largest embassy, the US Embassy in Baghdad, a fortress-style super-bunker wired for state-of-the-art communication and surveillance. Also included is construction of 14 "enduring bases" designed for long-term encampment of US troops in Iraq.

The House passed the MMI bill in mid-March with certain amendments to modify the $82 billion. The most prominent amendment was a vote of 258 to 170 to entirely eliminate the new embassy project from the bill. The House told the irate White House to include it for consideration in next years' budget package.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has already reviewed the bill, and will pass it on to the full Senate for debate and review next week.

One Senate change to the bill has already been announced...Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) scolded Donald Rumsfeld for the bill, calling it a "troubling omission" that he neglected to include funding for assisting veterans. Said Senator Murray, "It's as if once these brave men and women leave the service, they're no longer considered an essential priority for the administration."

I simplify for you the $82 billion spending request, as well as detail the arrogant stonewalling by the Bush Administration in regard to this bill.