Washington – The Senate voted Friday to give President Bush $50 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and U.S. military efforts against terrorism, money that would push total spending for the operations beyond $350 billion.
In a 97-0 vote, the GOP- controlled Senate signed off on the money as part of a $445 billion military spending bill for the budget year that began Oct. 1.
The measure also would put restrictions on the treatment of detainees who are terrorism suspects – a provision that has drawn a White House veto threat and demonstrated a willingness by Republican lawmakers to challenge Bush.
Passage comes at a time when public support for Bush and the Iraq fighting has slipped, U.S. casualties have climbed and Congress has grown increasingly frustrated with the conflict.
The Senate bill provides $5 billion more for the wars than the House version. The final bill is expected to include the full $50 billion extra after House-Senate negotiators work out their differences over the coming weeks.
