For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 25, 2003
Supporting Our Troops Abroad and Increasing Safety at Home
Today's Presidential Action
President Bush will submit a wartime supplemental budget request to
Congress that will:
- Support the men and women of our Armed Forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom and in the war on terror;
- Provide humanitarian relief for the people of Iraq;
- and Help to defend our homeland against the threat of terrorism.
Every item in the President's request is directly tied to Operation
Iraqi Freedom, the war on terror, or addressing the terrorism threat
to our homeland and the preparedness needs of our first responders.
The President urges Congress to pass this needed bill quickly and
without adding extraneous and unrelated spending. The total amount of
the supplemental request - $74.7 billion - is necessary and affordable
at less than 1% of Gross Domestic Product.
Background on Today's Presidential Action
Supporting America's Armed Forces: The supplemental requests $62.6
billion to support America's military, both in Iraq and in other
operations related to the war on terrorism. This request includes
funding to pay for transporting forces to the region, supplying our war
fighters, and maintaining vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and equipment.
It will also allow the Pentagon to replace cruise missiles, smart
bombs, and other high-tech munitions that are currently being used by
our Armed Forces. Significantly, it will help to provide combat pay
for active duty soldiers in the theatre, and it will pay for America's
Reservists who have answered the call to duty, including their
training, housing, and equipment.
Providing Humanitarian Relief to the People of Iraq: The President
has requested $2.4 billion to create a new, flexible account focused
on relief and reconstruction for the people of Iraq. These funds will
be used to provide food, water, medicine, and clothing to the people of
Iraq. They will also be used to repair damaged infrastructure, restore
important government services, and keep schools open. The total
commitment of resources for Iraq relief and reconstruction, including
those provided through the Department of Defense, is approximately $3.5
billion.
Defending Our Homeland Against the Threat of Terrorism: The
supplemental request includes $4.25 billion to strengthen America's
defenses against terrorism. This funding will enhance the security of
our Nation during this period of heightened threat and improve the
preparedness of first responders. These funds must be flexible to
enable homeland security and emergency preparedness officials to target
resources based on the latest intelligence. The President's request
includes:
- $2 billion through the Department of Homeland Security for state and
local terrorism preparedness and prevention. This request will help
state and local first responders with new equipment, training, and
better emergency planning. As part of Operation Liberty Shield, it
will also provide new funding to improve protection at critical
infrastructure facilities and secure high-threat urban areas identified
by DHS.
- $1.5 billion to support expanded operations of the Department of
Homeland Security as part of Operation Liberty Shield. These funds
support Coast Guard forces deployed to the theater as well as increased
security at home to protect our ports and the deployment of military
supplies. It also increases resources for border and transportation
security, including additional screening of visitors crossing the
border; increased inspection of high-risk goods and cargo at
ports-of-entry; additional flight hours for airspace security; and
other security measures.
- $750 million for other immediate and emerging terrorism-related
prevention and response requirements, including $500 million for the
Department of Justice and $250 million for other agencies throughout
the federal government.
For more information on the President's initiatives, please visit
www.whitehouse.gov
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