$82 Billion OKd in Emergency Spending

Congress on Tuesday approved an additional $82 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan and combating terrorism worldwide, boosting the cost of the global effort since 2001 to more than $300 billion.

The Senate approved the measure by a 100-0 vote. The House easily approved the measure last week. It now goes to President Bush for his signature.

The president praised Congress for showing bipartisan support for U.S. troops and efforts to fight terrorism. “New democracies are taking root in Iraq and Afghanistan, and America is proud to stand with them,” Bush said in a statement. “This legislation will help America continue to promote freedom and democracy.”

The fifth such emergency spending package Congress has taken up since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the bill includes sweeping immigration changes, a nearly tenfold increase in the one-time payment for families of troops killed in combat and money to build a sprawling U.S. Embassy in Iraq.

Most of the money -- $75.9 billion -- is slated for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, while $4.2 billion goes to foreign aid and other international relations programs.

Democrats used the opportunity to criticize the Bush administration for its Iraq policies and for failing to go through the normal budget process to pay for the wars.

Many also assailed Republicans for tacking on immigration provisions.

The measure requires states to start issuing more uniform driver’s licenses and to verify the citizenship or legal status of people getting them.