WASHINGTON-
Denver would get $50 million to cover security costs associated with the 2008 Democratic National Convention under a controversial spending bill for the Iraq war approved by the Senate appropriations committee Thursday.
The request now goes to the full Senate. But it’s unclear when the final decision will be made, since the money is tied to a measure setting a date for the beginning of a withdrawal from Iraq.
Last week, Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., whose district includes Denver, requested the money for Denver be attached to a Justice Department appropriation.
Denver and St. Paul, Minn., each have asked Congress for up to $50 million for security during the 2008 Democratic and Republican national conventions. New York and Boston got the same amount to help with security costs during the 2004 conventions.
Denver convention officials have said that security costs could be lower than $50 million, and that neither city would get more than it actually spent. The Denver host committee also is responsible for raising about $55 million more to pay for the event.
The Senate spending bill also includes more than $4 billion for agricultural disaster, which Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., said will help Colorado farmers and ranchers recover from this winter’s devastating blizzards.
“Finally, Congress has taken a step toward providing that relief,” Salazar said. “It is my hope we can get this supplemental passed as soon as possible because we must work to ensure the survival of our rural producers in Colorado.”
