Senate Passes No-Strings War Funding Bill

By Mohammed A. Salih | Inter Press Service, May 23, 2008

WASHINGTON, May 23 (IPS) - While the future commander of U.S. military operations throughout South Asia and the Middle East assured lawmakers Thursday that the situation in Iraq is continuing to improve, the U.S. Senate approved an additional 165 billion dollars today to fund wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan at least through next winter.

The bill, which was approved by a margin of 70 to 26, did not impose any new conditions on how the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, who leaves office next January, can spend the money, much to the disappointment of Democrats and some Republicans who had worked hard in recent weeks to attach amendments to the appropriation.

But, pressed by both the White House and the Pentagon to approve the bill without conditions by Memorial Day -- the national holiday that honours fallen war veterans -- the Democratic leadership decided against a major fight with the administration over control of Iraq policy at this time.

Earlier this week, the Senate Appropriations Committee had approved a package of amendments, including one that would have required the administration to gain prior Congressional approval for any future security deals with Iraq's government. Senators rejected the package, however, in a 63-34 vote.

"We can't help but note the irony that, as the Senate leaves for its Memorial Day recess, they have ensured the needless deaths of hundreds of soldiers and thousands of innocent Iraqis by voting to expand the war and occupation for another full year," said Michael McPhearson, co-chair of United for Peace and Justice, an anti-war group, after the vote.

"How many more fallen service men and women will we honour next year?" asked McPhearson, who also serves as executive director of Veterans for Peace.

Before passing the entire bill, however, the Senate approved an amendment by a veto-proof margin of 75-22 that would add nearly 50 billion dollars in education and other benefits for veterans.

Continued . . .