GovernmentExecutive.com

The White House is expected to announce a $950 million supplemental aid request for tsunami relief and reconstruction, congressional aides said Tuesday, though the formal submission to Congress is not expected until Monday.

That would come on top of $80 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for a total fiscal 2005 supplemental request of $81 billion as outlined in President Bush's fiscal 2006 budget request.

The $950 million tsunami aid package includes almost $600 million for U.S. Agency for International Development relief and reconstruction efforts, such as water and road-building needs, in addition to $350 million previously pledged. A smaller amount will be provided to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to expand its tsunami early warning and detection system.

The announcement comes as House and Senate appropriators put the finishing touches on a committee reorganization plan, which includes eliminating the VA-HUD, Legislative Branch and District of Columbia subcommittees.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Thad Cochran, R-Miss., who has yet to formally sign off on the proposal, will discuss the matter with committee Republicans Thursday, but sources said he is leaning towards accepting it.

The Veterans Affairs Department would move to a new panel containing Military Construction funds and about $39 billion in Defense spending accounts, including health, environment and sustainment, restoration and modernization funds.

HUD would move to the Transportation-Treasury panel, along with District of Columbia funds and the federal judiciary, which moves from the Commerce-Justice-State panel. The Commerce-Justice-State subcommittee would gain jurisdiction over NASA and the National Science Foundation.

Legislative Branch accounts would be funded by the full House and Senate Appropriations panels under the proposal, while some Interior subcommittee energy programs would be absorbed by the Energy and Water panels.

Interior would gain jurisdiction over EPA accounts.

COMMENTS

• I was wondering if our government has taken any steps to put Tsunami alert equipment on the east and gulf coasts. I read an article a few months ago about a possible gigantic landslide on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands. Can any offer some information on this. Henry Deskiewicz Posted February 10, 2005 8:29 AM
• This request reflects what is very wrong with our existing government. This request is based on political considerations to get people re-elected and not based on the needs of the world. The AIDs problem in Africa is much more life threatening and immediate than rebuilding roads in Indonesia! Why isn't the President asking for this appropriation for AIDs drug purchases for Africa or vac for kids in poor countries? I think the White House needs to get a better look at world priorities and stop chasing things of press value to achieve re-election. They could educate the voting public about the world priorities and get as much credit for doing the right thing as they get for doing the most visable thing to get re-elected! taxpayer Posted February 10, 2005 8:12 AM