Republican lawmakers yesterday pressed for $70 billion in Iraq war funding without restrictions.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said that if Democrats move forward with a plan to add to an omnibus spending bill $30 billion for the war in Afghanistan and other military operations not involving Iraq, he will seek to change the measure.
“It would be my intent to offer an amendment that would provide $70 billion without strings attached for Iraq, for our troops in harm’s way in Iraq,” he told reporters yesterday.
Senate Democratic leaders said they are waiting to see what the House provides.
“We are waiting to see what the House sends to us, to see what money, if any, they’re going to put in for warfighting,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates reiterated the Pentagon position on war funding, saying money for the Army would run out in the middle of February; funding for the Marines would last through mid-March, he said.
Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, was more urgent in his response, saying “passing this or getting the full supplemental in place as rapidly as possible is really important.”