By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune
Washington, 01 May, (Asiantribune.com): US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the $83.4 billion budget request today and asked the Senate to pass the fiscal 2009 supplemental funding request.
Most of the request –about $76 billion would go to the Defense department and would directly support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan while the rest would fund State Department operations.
The pending legislation is the second half of the fiscal 2009 supplemental funding request. Congress passed $65.9 billion in supplemental spending earlier this year. If the second portion is approved, the total package would be $141.7 billion.
Gates stressed that this will be the last supplemental funding request. "This is intended to be the last planned war supplemental request that the administration will make," Gates said. "Future budgets – starting with 2010 – will instead be presented together, with money for overseas contingency operations clearly marked as such."
Moving funding to the base budget will ensure that funding for programs that directly affect warfighters will receive the support they need in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill, Gates said.
Breaking down the request, Gates told the Committee that some $38 billion covers the everyday costs of maintaining forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another $11.6 billion is set aside to replace and repair equipment that has been worn out, damaged or destroyed in Iraq and Afghanistan. This includes money for four F-22 fighter jets to replace an F-15 and three F-16s classified as combat losses.
Another $9.8 billion will go for force protection. This will fund the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle program that aims to put all-terrain vehicles into Afghanistan. A further $3.6 billion is slotted to expand and improve the Afghan security forces.
The supplemental funding bill includes $1.5 billion to counter the threats of roadside bombs, $450 million for the Commander's Emergency Response Program, and $400 million for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund.
The Pakistan Fund will allow the US Central Command commander to work with Pakistan's military to build the nation's counterinsurgency capability. "We are asking for this unique authority for the unique and urgent circumstances we face in Pakistan – for dealing with a challenge that simultaneously requires wartime and peacetime capabilities," Gates said.
The supplemental measure also includes $2.2 billion to finish the expansion of the Army and Marine Corps. Wounded warrior care and programs to improve the quality of life for troops and their families account for $1.6 billion in the funding request, Gates said, emphasizing that quick action on the request is necessary.
"We also expect to run out of money to reimburse Pakistan by mid-May. I urge you to take up this bill and pass it as quickly as possible," Gates said.
The supplemental measure includes $7.1 billion for international affairs and stabilization activities, including economic assistance for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"Needless to say, I strongly support this funding," the defense secretary said. "This is particularly important in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where our ability to provide resources beyond military power will be the decisive factor."
- Asian Tribune -
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