White House says $87B should cover fiscal 2004 costs

While careful not to rule out a change in plans, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan Monday indicated President Bush intends his new $87 billion supplemental spending request to cover all Iraq-related costs during fiscal 2004.

"Obviously, you know, you continually assess needs, but we believe that this is sufficient funds to do what needs to be done," McClellan said. Bush, who announced the request in a speech to the nation Sunday night, will not reverse course on his tax cuts and will continue to insist on fiscal restraint. The president, according to McClellan, remains committed to cutting the deficit in half over five years, even though the OMB projection upon which this goal is based did not include the latest supplemental request.

The White House Monday released a fact sheet describing various components of the upcoming request. Of the $87 billion, $66 billion is to fund military efforts in "Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere" to combat the war on terror, while $21 billion will be dedicated to building "safe stable and self-governing societies in these nations."

For military operations in Iraq, the request will seek $51 billion, including $800 million to transport and support troops of "coalition partners with limited resources who are willing to commit to the operation," $300 million for body armor, and $140 million to deliver "heavily armored Humvees." Bush also will request unspecified funds to provide two weeks of vacation for soldiers deployed in Iraq for one year.

The supplemental will ask for $20 billion for infrastructure and internal security spending on Iraq. But "initial estimates" indicate that $50 billion to $75 billion will be needed, and the shortfall will be addressed by Iraqi oil sales, contributions from other nations, and "recovered assets" in Iraq.

The U.S. share includes $5 billion to improve security by training Iraqi military, police, border and customs officials, and to support a new judicial system. The remaining $15 billion for infrastructure would go to projects such as providing drinking water and restoring oil production and electricity service. Military efforts in Afghanistan would receive $11 billion under the request. Another $800 million, as well as $400 million in money reallocated from existing accounts, would go to "remaining security and reconstruction needs" in Afghanistan. This includes $400 million to build Afghan army and police forces, $300 million for roads, schools and similar projects, and $300 million to support the Afghan government.