Bush Signs Bill Adding $25 Billion in War Funds

WASHINGTON —  President Bush approved an additional $25 billion in emergency funds for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan on Thursday, while appealing to key military constituents as he signed a new, $417-billion Pentagon spending bill.

At a ceremony near the White House, Bush underscored new protections afforded U.S. troops by the emergency funding package that Congress said could be used as soon as it received the president’s signature.

“With this legislation, America’s military will know that their country stands behind them as they fight for our freedom and as they spread the peace,” Bush told an audience that included Pentagon officials and veterans.

“This money will buy more armored Humvees, more ammunition, more fuel, more spare parts. It will upgrade our helicopters with the latest equipment, allowing them to fly more safely in the dangerous theaters.”

The Bush administration had previously said it would not need more money for Iraq and Afghanistan until the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, but officials later acknowledged that they might need to draw on the emergency funds allocated by Congress.

A congressional report last month said the administration had underestimated costs for Iraq and Afghanistan by $12.3 billion for the current fiscal year.

Congress, which had approved an $87-billion emergency spending bill in October to finance military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through the end of September, sanctioned the extra funds late last month as a down payment on next year’s emergency spending bill.

Analysts say Republican-leaning military personnel and their families could prove vital for Bush’s reelection prospects. The president received strong backing from military voters in the key state of Florida in 2000.

But operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have also strained military families with extended tours of duty and the recall of thousands of veterans to active duty.

Bush drew special attention to enhanced pay and housing benefits for troops. “This year’s raise of 3.5% brings the total pay raise over the last four years to nearly 21%. This money is well earned, well deserved and well spent,” he said.