U.S. House Democrats push war bill to $94.2 billion

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbss...431118520090504

By Jeremy Pelofsky

WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Democrats on Monday proposed $94.2 billion for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as well as for foreign aid and pandemic flu, almost 12 percent more than President Barack Obama had sought.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey unveiled the measure that boosts economic aid for Pakistan, adds $2.2 billion to buy C-17 cargo planes from Boeing Co. (BA.N) and offers $400 million more to help Mexico fight drug traffickers.

The Pentagon had pressed Congress to quickly approve Obama's $84.3 billion request to fund operations through Sept. 30 because the U.S. military could soon run out of money for military operations as well as run out of aid for Pakistan.

The bill does not include $80 million Obama requested to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and review the status of some 230 detainees held as terrorism suspects because "there is yet no concrete program for that," Obey told reporters.

Republicans harshly criticized closing the facility as well as Obama's request.

The bill's rising price tag could alienate lawmakers, including some Democrats, worried about enormous budget deficits from a $787 billion economic stimulus plan and $410 omnibus spending package Congress approved earlier this year.

Under Obey's bill, Pakistan would receive $1 billion in economic aid, including $500 million he added despite his concerns about Obama's policy in the region. It also offers $400 million for building the counterinsurgency capabilities of Pakistan's security forces.

Yet Obey questioned whether Pakistan and Afghanistan are focused enough on their problems and can deal with them. He said his legislation would require the administration to submit a detailed progress report early next year which would help Congress decide whether to continue funding.

"I'm very doubtful the policy can succeed but it is clear that there is a consensus in the Congress to try it and so if we're going to try it, I want it to have the greatest possible ability to succeed," Obey said.

SHIFTING RESOURCES
Obama has sought to shift resources as the war in Iraq winds down to concentrate on countering growing radicalism in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where both governments are struggling against militant elements.

Obey said the bill, to be considered by his committee on Thursday, would also accelerate $555 million for Israel, $360 million for Egypt and provide $250 million for Jordan.

The legislation meets Obama's request for $665 million in assistance for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, he said. Plus, it adds $904 million to buy Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT.N) C-130 transport planes from Obama's 2010 budget request.

Representative John Murtha, chairman of the defense appropriations subcommittee, backed down from efforts to include money for even more C-17 planes and add a plan to divide a $35 billion contract for aerial refueling tankers between Boeing and a team including Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) and Europe's EADS (EAD.PA).

Separately, the legislation includes $2 billion to address pandemic flu, $500 million more than requested. The request follows the outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu that has spread to at least 20 countries. (Additional reporting by Richard Cowan.) (Editing by Alan Elsner)
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