House Completes Supplemental Appropriations Mark-up
Today the House Appropriations Committee completed its version of the fiscal year 2003 Supplemental Appropriations Bill. The committee reported the bill by a vote of 59-0. The bill matches the administration’s total request of $74.7 billion.
The bill is expected on the House floor as early as Wednesday.
The bill fully funds the $62.4 billion request for the War in Iraq, but separates funding into major titles instead of giving the administration complete discretion:
- $1.4 billion to support coalition partners
- $12.1 billion for military personnel
- $20.7 billion for operations and maintenance
- $1.3 billion for procurement
- $102 million for research and development
- $25 billion for Combat Stability Operations and Forces Reconstruction Costs.
Congress must be notified seven days prior to obligating funds from this account to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Funds can be used for “any purposes deemed necessary to support the war effort.”
Other changes:
- Adds $51.5 million for embassy security
- Cuts $150 million slush fund for “complex foreign crises”
- Cuts $85 million for peacekeeping operations
- Adds $21 million for homeland security
- Adds $16 million for Centers for Disease Control
- Adds $144 million for Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund
- Cuts $124 million for Air Force military construction
- Cuts $250 million for Transportation/Treasury Emergency Response Fund
Major Amendments Offered in Committee:
- Defeated 28-35 - Rep. Obey (D-WI) amendment to add $2.5 billion for
- homeland security including port, nuclear, and border security and funding for first responders.
- Adopted by voice vote - Rep. Young (R-FL) amendment to add $3.2 billion for airline industry aid. The amendment was amended to prohibit airlines from increasing executive bonuses above 2002 levels and to require them to report to Congress on how the federal aid is spent.
- Defeated by voice vote - Rep. Cunningham (R-CA) amendment to cut $1 billion aid package to Turkey.