Lawmakers Near Deal on $87B Aid Package

[newyawker99]

Despite rising criticism about President Bush's handling of Iraq, Congress is on the verge of approving an $87 billion package for military and reconstruction costs in Iraq and Afghanistan that largely follows the White House's request.

House-Senate negotiators worked out final details late Wednesday, meeting Bush's demand that none of the Iraqi reconstruction money be provided as loans. The House could vote on the bill as soon as Thursday and the Senate is likely to follow shortly afterward. It then would go to Bush for his signature.

Lawmakers have been increasingly uneasy about the rising human toll and financial costs of U.S. involvement in Iraq. They have questioned whether the Bush administration has done enough to win international assistance and how long U.S. troops will have to remain there.

But there was little debate about the bulk of Bush's proposal, $65.1 billion for U.S. military expenses. The House-Senate conferees ended up supporting almost all of it, $64.7 billion.


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