View Full Version : Bush to seek $100 bln more war funds: House report
alkemical
12-14-2006, 12:27 PM
Bush to seek $100 bln more war funds: House report (http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2006-12-13T231453Z_01_N13170850_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-USA-FUNDING.xml&src=rss&rpc=22)
By Richard Cowan
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush will soon seek about $100 billion in additional emergency funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to a report on Wednesday by Democratic staffers for two key panels in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Such a large request would mark a rapid escalation in the cost of the Iraq war at a time when public support is plummeting and Bush is looking for new answers to stem violence that threatens to spin out of control.
In a broad report criticizing Republicans' fiscal decisions, Democratic staffers on the House Appropriations Committee and House Budget Committee also noted that Congress already had appropriated about $379 billion for the war in Iraq.
"The administration is expected to submit an additional request early next year that will total roughly $100 billion. At least three-quarters of this request will support operations in Iraq," according to the report.
If the White House asks for the $100 billion, it would be significantly less than the $130 billion the Pentagon preliminarily requested recently, according to several accounts.
The emergency funds, which likely would be submitted by Bush to Congress in early February, would be in addition to $70 billion already approved for the two wars in the current fiscal year, which began on October 1.
Senior Democrats, who take control of both houses of Congress next year, have indicated they would support additional funds for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though many want a phased withdrawal to begin in 2007.
The $100 billion, if submitted and approved by Congress next year, would be in addition to the record $447 billion the Pentagon is receiving this fiscal year for all military operations.
TailgateNut
12-14-2006, 12:39 PM
.....we need to find a way to pay Halliburton $47.00 per six pack of coke. I almost **** when I heard this figure on the radio last week. Cosidering I pay $2.50 p. 12pack, I guess it's a hell of a deal. ROFL!
......actually we need to kick the GAO in the azz. WTF are they doing to prevent this highway robbery.
......I have no problem with funding which goes to our soldiers and their equipment, but civilian contractors who rape the goverment should be jailed, PERIOD. What they are doing is Criminal!
alkemical
12-14-2006, 12:45 PM
I'd also like to add i believe this story is 'cont'd'
Garcia Bronco
12-14-2006, 12:47 PM
It needs to be denied on principle alone
alkemical
12-14-2006, 12:47 PM
.....we need to find a way to pay Halliburton $47.00 per six pack of coke. I almost **** when I heard this figure on the radio last week. Cosidering I pay $2.50 p. 12pack, I guess it's a hell of a deal. ROFL!
......actually we need to kick the GAO in the azz. WTF are they doing to prevent this highway robbery.
......I have no problem with funding which goes to our soldiers and their equipment, but civilian contractors who rape the goverment should be jailed, PERIOD. What they are doing is Criminal!
It is criminal. But i guess you can put a price on ju$tice.
alkemical
12-14-2006, 12:49 PM
It needs to be denied on principle alone
how are we able to keep "writing checks". Man **** is going to go plop soon.
TailgateNut
12-14-2006, 12:56 PM
how are we able to keep "writing checks". Man **** is going to go plop soon.
I think it's already gone "plop", you just didn't hear it because the GAO has been asleep at the wheel. If someone tried to sell you the materials we buy at the prices we pay, you would give them the "finger"!
alkemical
12-14-2006, 12:59 PM
I think it's already gone "plop", you just didn't hear it because the GAO has been asleep at the wheel. If someone tried to sell you the materials we buy at the prices we pay, you would give them the "finger"!
Could i afford to? lol
TailgateNut
12-14-2006, 01:03 PM
Could i afford to? lol
Giving the "finger" is still free, but you can't claim it as a deduction!
Crushaholic
12-14-2006, 01:42 PM
Anybody who read the second page of the article would see this:
"The administration often does not submit supplemental requests until well after the Army needs the funding to pay for ongoing operations," the report stated. "As a result, the Army is forced to delay certain activities, such as maintenance of equipment, until supplemental appropriations are approved."
It looks like that Bush is starting to be more honest about the actual cost of running the war and will help in items such as maintenance of equipment. Let's finally do what it takes to win this thing and bring the troops home soon...
alkemical
12-14-2006, 02:02 PM
which i why i said it was cont'd.
But how much more can we give ya know.
TailgateNut
12-14-2006, 02:06 PM
Anybody who read the second page of the article would see this:
"The administration often does not submit supplemental requests until well after the Army needs the funding to pay for ongoing operations," the report stated. "As a result, the Army is forced to delay certain activities, such as maintenance of equipment, until supplemental appropriations are approved."
It looks like that Bush is starting to be more honest about the actual cost of running the war and will help in items such as maintenance of equipment. Let's finally do what it takes to win this thing and bring the troops home soon...
"More honest" than what??? I have some wonderful waterfront land in the Sahara I'd like to sell you!
....."will help in (with) items such as maint. of equip".......! Sure thing, maintenance is always an afterthought.......for those who don't THINK!
......."do what it takes to win this thing"..... WIN WHAT??? The approval of Daddy Bush?
Un-F-ing believeable!
"Republicans have spent years handing out billions upon billions of dollars in tax cuts to millionaires while shortchanging our national priorities," said Democratic Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the new chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
"It is going to take us years to get back on track."
The report, co-authored by aides to Democratic Rep. John Spratt of South Carolina, the incoming chairman of the House Budget Committee, criticized the administration for resorting to emergency spending requests to finance the war instead of budgeting for it on a longer-term basis.
Crushaholic
12-14-2006, 02:54 PM
"More honest" than what??? I have some wonderful waterfront land in the Sahara I'd like to sell you!
....."will help in (with) items such as maint. of equip".......! Sure thing, maintenance is always an afterthought.......for those who don't THINK!
......."do what it takes to win this thing"..... WIN WHAT??? The approval of Daddy Bush?
Un-F-ing believeable!
My biggest criticism of the war has always been the management of the war. Bush is being more honest about what this thing actually costs and is attempting to fund it. My theory is based on what was actually written in the article. Your theory was that all this money was going to Haliburton. I think I'm closer with my way of thinking. As far as winning, we need to stabilize the regions and train the Iraqis to defend themselves. To me, that's the definition of winning...
TheDave
12-14-2006, 03:19 PM
I think i just figured out how to save a few bucks, buy every american over there a one way ticket home....
Lets see.... 150,000 troops X $300 per ticket.
= $45 million
Make it an even $50 mill (covers my consulting fee :))... there i just saved the Gov't 99.5 billion.
TheDave
12-14-2006, 03:29 PM
I think i just figured out how to save a few bucks, buy every american over there a one way ticket home....
Lets see.... 150,000 troops X $300 per ticket.
= $45 million
Make it an even $50 mill (covers my consulting fee :))... there i just saved the Gov't 99.5 billion.
Actually i got a better idea... For that kind of money let's rent a couple of cruise ships and get these men and women back home in style... Still saves us an astonomical amout of $, and most importantly lives.
Rohirrim
12-14-2006, 03:39 PM
I have no doubt that once Congress starts investigating where the first couple of hundred billion went, somebody is going to jail.
alkemical
12-14-2006, 04:05 PM
I have no doubt that once Congress starts investigating where the first couple of hundred billion went, somebody is going to jail.
lol - set up some timeline - then let people forget - circa: dubia ports
BroncoBuff
12-14-2006, 07:40 PM
BUSH: "Can I have another hundred billion?"
PELOSI: "The answer is NO!"
.
TailgateNut
12-15-2006, 11:08 AM
BUSH: "Can I have another hundred billion?"
PELOSI: "The answer is NO!"
.
....then the Dems are labeled as "anti-troop". They'll get the funding, but investigations into the waste/ theft of millions during this fiasco should be started immediately.
Crushaholic..........I KNOW all of it is not going to Halliburton, but I'd bet my house that the waste amounts to at least 25%+ of what we have spend on the Iraq "adventure"(that's a lot of moolah).
Non war related waste and overspending is another issue which needs to be investigated and serious management revisions should be considered. The GAO mgt. operates like a teenager who has just hit the jackpot at a betting parlor!
BroncoBuff
12-16-2006, 07:25 AM
I understand that, Tailgate, but why should anybody care what they say?
Aren't the American people smart enough now to see right through those kind of flag-draped insults of the Democrats' manhood? Especially from the chickenhawks in this administration.
I think they are the most incompetent group ever, ever. We all know, and we all KNEW, that Bush will "go big" in Iraq rather than negotiate or withdraw. So then why in God's name did he commission the Baker-Hamilton Committee?!
They're finally hurting themselves with their incompetence. Not just this blunder, but also firing Rumsfeld only AFTER the election. Had they canned him 2 or 3 weeks sooner, they'd have won Montana and Virginia for sure, and maybe Missouri too.
And I've heard twice this week that Rummy has declined to meet with Robert Gates to discuss with him and brief him. That's one of the saddest, most un-American actions ever. And both of Chris Matthews' guest Friday stated unequivocally that it was well known in the Pentagon that Rummy always chose the generals based upon their willingness to "toe the line."
I hope history skewers Cheney and Rumsfeld.
.
Anybody who read the second page of the article would see this:
"The administration often does not submit supplemental requests until well after the Army needs the funding to pay for ongoing operations," the report stated. "As a result, the Army is forced to delay certain activities, such as maintenance of equipment, until supplemental appropriations are approved."
It looks like that Bush is starting to be more honest about the actual cost of running the war and will help in items such as maintenance of equipment.<b> Let's finally do what it takes to win this thing and bring the troops home soon...</b>
Please define "Win this thing"
How about this, "No george you don't get to take another vacation until you figure a way to bring our troops home. They'll be out in 6 months.
Price of seeing the Iraqi people toss roses at the feet of the liberating soldiers feet. - 670 Billion but still no flowers.
Price to armor plate Hummers and provide bullet proof vests for every soldier - must be priceless because 670 billion has not done it.
TailgateNut
12-18-2006, 11:29 AM
How about this, "No george you don't get to take another vacation until you figure a way to bring our troops home. They'll be out in 6 months.
Good one.....but I bet in lieu of bringing them home, he'll just call in sick from his ranch in Texass!
BroncoBuff
12-19-2006, 08:28 AM
I read yesterday that Harry Reid is "on board" with this extra $100 billion, IF we have an exit plan afterward.
Right, Harry ... you can trust them! If they SAY they have an exit plan, they must have one! After all, they've never lied before!!!
Geez, didn't the election teach these guys anything? HARRY! AMERICA WANTS OUT OF IRAQ! PDQ!
This is just like Vietnam (or a crack addict for that matter): Just a little bit more .... then we'll win! Just a little bit longer ... then we'll come out on top! Just 60-thousand tons more bombs dropped on Cambodia ... then they'll surrender! Just 100 billion more dollars ... then Sunni and Shi'a will make peace!
Idiots.
If I ran this country, we'd all be better off inside 12 months.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
TailgateNut
12-19-2006, 11:07 AM
HARRY! AMERICA WANTS OUT OF IRAQ! PDQ![/B][/I]
Just 100 billion more dollars ... then Sunni and Shi'a will make peace!
Idiots.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
Short but SWEEEET! The issue at hand is IQ, or lack thereof!
alkemical
12-19-2006, 12:39 PM
I firmly believe that creating turmoil in the ME is designed. Creating peace and a unified ME does not do the world any good. You would have a true world monopoly on Oil if that were the case.
By creating turmoil you create warlords/dictators/etc - whom are desperate to line their pockets with money and undercut their neighbors - creating a true free market (read: blackmarket) on this commodity.
Really - when you look at it - the whole deal with the Shah/Iran - it started because Iran wanted to nationalize the oil fields - and BP didn't like that.
In the world of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" - you really only find out that all your friends are enemies.
Crushaholic
12-19-2006, 02:25 PM
Please define "Win this thing"
Stabilize the country and train the Iraqi troops to handle their own security. Will it happen? It doesn't look good, at this point. However, that's what I define as "win this thing".
TailgateNut
12-19-2006, 02:30 PM
Stabilize the country and train the Iraqi troops to handle their own security. Will it happen? It doesn't look good, at this point. However, that's what I define as "win this thing".
Stabilizing Iraq is like trying to stabilize an overloaded dinghy during a hurricane. IT AIN"T HAPPENIN'! Put on your life jacket and jump overboard, it's the only sane thing to do