Bush seeks billions more in military funding

[helderheid]

CHECKING IN WITH CALIFORNIA: President Bush speaks on the phone with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger regarding the wildfires burning throughout the state.
The $45.9-billion emergency request would push the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over $600 billion, and is expected to incite critics.
By Noam N. Levey and Julian E. Barnes, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
October 23, 2007
WASHINGTON -- Setting up another confrontation with congressional Democrats over the war in Iraq, President Bush on Monday sent Congress a $45.9-billion emergency funding request for expenses related to U.S. military campaigns around the world.

The request, which comes on top of $147.5 billion sought by the administration earlier this year, pushes the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to more than $600 billion.

It also appears certain to further inflame tensions between the president and his Democratic critics on Capitol Hill, who are locked in a rancorous debate over federal spending bills as well as the war.

"Demanding nearly $200 billion for Iraq while vetoing healthcare for 10 million children exemplifies the Bush administration's misplaced priorities," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Monday, comparing the budget requests with the president's objection to spending $30 billion to expand a popular health-insurance program for children.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bush23oct23,1,1825002.story?coll=la-headlines-nation