$106 Billion Emergency War-Spending Bill Passes

The United States Senate has passed an emergency war-spending bill requested by Pres. Obama for the efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq however, more "goodies" have been added to the measure.

Congress sent President Barack Obama this year’s astronomical war spending bill on Thursday to ensure the military efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. The bill added up to $106 billion, which is $20 billion more than the President even asked for. The Senate passed the one-sided vote with ninety-one Senators voting in favor to five Senators opposing the measure. The Senators opposing the bill made complaints about the “add-ons”, which accumulated to the extra $20 billion from the request Pres. Obama made two months ago, which was $83 billion. This $106 billion emergency war funding bill provides an eclectic amount of services such as: $7 billion pandemic flu preparedness, initiatives for drivers to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles, which will cost an estimated $1 billion (provides $3,500 to $4,500 cash vouchers), $721 million for United Nations Peacekeepers, and $10 billion for economic aid in Afghanistan and Iraq, including Pakistan, However, the Obama Administration has stated that this will be the last time the White House will insist on an emergency war funding bill. Such bills have been passed annually since the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. After the passing of this urgent legislation, war spending will have cost $1 trillion; 70% of which has gone to the invasion of Iraq. According to the Associated Press, the war in Iraq has cost $684 billion; Afghanistan has been $223 billion and another $28 billion for a variety of security purposes. John Boehner, House Republican leader of Ohio, asked his colleagues, “What does a $108 billion global bailout have to do with protecting our troops and giving them the tools they need for victory?” How will the United States pay for this $106 billion? It will go straight to the national debt, which is at $11.4 trillion.