White House to seek supplemental funding for war efforts, hurricane relief

The White House has told Congress to expect requests for about $70 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in fiscal 2006 and $18 billion more for hurricane relief, according to Senate GOP aides.

The details of the requests are not finalized but President Bush's fiscal 2007 budget, to be submitted next week, will reflect the totals for planning purposes, said the aides. Another $2.3 billion to combat avian flu also is expected.

The funding for Iraq is in addition to $50 billion approved in December and should be enough to conduct the war through the end of fiscal 2006. Bush also is expected to set aside $50 billion in the fiscal 2007 budget for the war effort, though such funds will not be enough for the entire year.

"We understand that besides the supplemental that now, for the first time, they're going to request a bridge fund," said House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman C.W. (Bill) Young, R-Fla. "This is what we're hearing."