Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Analysis of the House Appropriations Committee Mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2007 Supplemental Spending Request (H.R. 1591)

by Christopher Hellman [contact information]

March 21, 2007

On March 15 the House Appropriations Committee approved a $124.3 billion emergency supplemental appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2007. The bill includes $95.5 billion for the Department of Defense, primarily to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, roughly $4 billion more than the amount sought by the Bush Administration. This funding is in addition to the $70 billion "bridge fund" in war funding for FY'07 that Congress approved last September. To date Congress has approved over $500 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, not including the $95 billion recommended by the House Appropriations Committee, nor the $141.7 billion in additional funding already requested by the Administration for fiscal year 2008. The full House is expected to take up this bill the on March 22.

In addition to funding combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the bill provides $29 billion for a wide range of initiatives, including hurricane reconstruction, assistance to American farmers, and international famine relief.

HIGHLIGHTS

Withdrawal of Forces From Iraq - The committee approved language that would result in the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by no later than August 2008, provided certain political and military benchmarks are achieved. Failure to meet these benchmarks would trigger an earlier troop withdrawal. The bill also sets minimum readiness standards for U.S. troops deploying to the region and limit deployment schedules, which the President could waive.

Walter Reed Army Medical Facility - The committee approved language to keep Walter Reed Hospital open. Walter Reed was included in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list approved by Congress and was slated for closure no later than 2011. The committee also provides $20 million in unrequested funds for infrastructure improvements at Walter Reed's Building 18 and other facilities.

BRAC Funding - Provides $3.1 billion for implementation of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission's recommendations, which, combined with the $2.5 billion included in the Fiscal Year 2007 Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res. 20), fully funds the Pentagon's FY'07 BRAC request.

Defense Health Care - Provides $2.8 billion for defense health care, $1.7 billion above the administration's request. The bill also includes $415 million for the Veterans Healthcare Administration (VA).

Program Cuts - The Committee eliminated funding for five of the six E/A-18G aircraft ($367 million) requested, as well as the two F-35 Joint Strike Fighters ($389 million) included in the request. [Note: a revised war supplemental request released by the White House on March 9 also eliminated these funding requests].

Afghan and Iraqi Security Forces - Fully funds the $5.9 billion request for the Afghan Security Forces and the $3.8 billion request for Iraq Security Forces.

IED Force Protection - Fully funds the $2.4 billion request for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO).

Strategic Readiness Reserve Fund - The Committee recommends the creation of a new Strategic Readiness Reserve fund, and provides $2.5 billion for the program, which is intended to improve readiness, training and equipping of U.S. forces not already deployed.

FUNDING LEVELS (numbers may not add up due to rounding)

Total (DoD Only)

• Request: $91.5 billlion
• Committee Recommendation: $$95.5 billion
• Difference: +$4.0 billion

Personnel

• Request: $12.1 billlion
• Committee Recommendation: $13.6 billion
• Difference: +$1.4 billion

Operations & Maintenance

• Request: $50.3 billion
• Committee Recommendation: $52.5 billion
• Difference: +2.2 billion

Procurement

• Request: $24.9 billion
• Committee Recommendation: $24.8 billion
• Difference: -$86 million

Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation

• Request: $1.4 billion
• Committee Recommendation: $1.0 billion
• Difference: -$412 million

Revolving and Management Funds

• Request: $1.3 billion
• Committee Recommendation: $1.3 billion
• Difference: 0

Other DoD

• Request: $1.3 billion
• Committee Recommendation: $3.0 billion
• Difference: +$1.7 billion

OTHER DEFENSE PROVISIONS

Aircraft Procurement - The Committee recommends fully funding the original request for five C-130J transport aircraft ($388 million) and one V-22 "Osprey" tilt-rotor aircraft ($146 million). [Note: the White House released a revised war supplemental request on March 9 that did not include funding for these aircraft.] The Committee also includes $192 million for three F/A-18E/F fighters not requested by the Pentagon.

CERP Program - Fully funds the $456 million request for the Commanders' Emergency Response Program (CERP).

Stryker Armored Vehicles - Fully funds the $857 million request for 111 Stryker armored vehicles

Mine Resistant Ambush Protection Vehicles - Provides $1.4 billion, $311 million above the request.

NON-DEFENSE PROVISIONS

Hurricane Assistance - Provides $4.3 billion for the Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund, $910 million above the request.

Minimum Wage - Increases the minimum wage to $5.85 per hour in the first year after enactment (the current minimum wage is $5.15 per hour), and to $7.25 by the third year.

Nuclear Security - Provides $67 million to secure nuclear materials in the former Soviet Union, and $83 million for radiation detectors to scan shipping containers.

Food Assistance - Provides $450 million ($100 million above the request) to provide emergency food aid in Sudan, Chad, Afghanistan, Southern Africa and the Horn of Africa.

Agricultural Assistance - Provides $3.7 billion to assist U.S. farmers.

SOURCES

H.R. 1591, House Report 110-60, and Appropriations Committee press release from March 16, 2007.