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Bush sent today to the US Congress an update of funding requirements
for 2008 to continue funding the Global War on Terror and address
other urgent national security needs. The request includes an
amendment of $45.9 billion, added to the pending request for
$150.4 billion, totaling $196.5 billion of which $189 billion
are destined to fund the Department of Defense war effort.
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The requested funding includes the allocation of $11 billion
to maintain some 7,200 Mine Resistant
Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle acquired this year and $3.1
billion for countermeasures
and protection from counter-sniper and improvised
explosive devices (IED). $8.1 billion are requested for
ongoing military and intelligence requirements in the Global
War on Terror, including costs related to the increase in troop
levels in Iraq and the announced plan for a staged withdrawal
of five Brigade Combat Teams by July 2008. Additional $8.8 billion
are required for reset of equipment worn out during recent combat
operations while $5.4 billion are requested to fill equipment
shortfalls of fresh units before they are deployed to Iraq and
Afghanistan. One billion dollars are requested to expand training
of national guards and reserve units, in anticipation of recruiting
more units, thus reducing the reserve deployment schedules.
Almost three quarters of billion dollars will be required to
pay for the increased cost of fuel. $1.7 billion will be required
for improving medical care for wounded service members and for
family support.
To improve the ability of Iraqi forces to secure the country,
the President requests additional $1 billion to expand the Iraqi
security forces and improve their ability to conduct independent
counterinsurgency operations. According to the president's request,
this amount will supplement a substantial investment made by
the Iraqi Government. An additional billion dollars will be
required for investment in infrastructure development and force
protection supporting US operations in theater. In addition,
About $1.2 billion are requested to support local and government
activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. About a quarter billion
dollars from these amounts will be spent under the Commander's
Emergency Response Program in Afghanistan, which allows commanders
to address urgent needs of local communities.
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