NATIONAL BRIEFING / WASHINGTON, D.C.
Congress sent President Obama a massive spending bill aimed at ensuring that the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan won’t run out of money in the coming months. The $106-billion emergency bill also provides money for unrelated programs, including pandemic flu preparedness and a “cash for clunkers” initiative to encourage drivers to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles.
The Senate approved the measure 91 to 5, despite complaints from several senators about the add-ons that pushed the total more than $20 billion above Obama’s funding request. The House approved it Tuesday, 226 to 202.
Congress has passed such emergency bills every year since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. With enactment of this legislation, the amount will near $1 trillion, with about 70% going to the conflict in Iraq. Obama has said that in the future all war operation expenses will be incorporated in the Defense Department budget.
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