Gates seeks 190 billion for wars.

When it comes to social programs such as universal health care --which virtually every advanced capitalist state has except the US--the immediate outcry if anyone suggested that it would cost this much would be: We can't afford it. Apparently when it comes to wars this never comes up. The Democrats may howl and try to tag on some stuff to the appropriations bill but they will eventually give in. Maybe anytime someone complained about the cost of a single payer system that proponents should say: But you don't support our sick Americans!

Gates seeks $190 billion for wars
By ANNE FLAHERTY
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER


Def. Sec. Robert Gates, center, with Deputy Sec. of State John Negroponte, left, and Outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace, right, at a hearing before congress on FY08 presidential supplemental budget request for the Iraq and Afghanistan war efforts, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 in Washington. Gates is asking to approve $190 billion, increasing initial projections by more than a third. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked Congress Wednesday to approve nearly $190 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008, increasing initial projections by more than a third.

The spending request guaranteed another showdown between the Bush administration and congressional Democrats, including Sen. Robert Byrd, who declared the Appropriations Committee he chairs would not "rubber stamp" the request.

Testifying before the panel, Gates said the extra money was necessary to buy vehicles that can protect troops against roadside bombs, refurbish equipment worn down by combat and consolidate U.S. bases in Iraq. A copy of the remarks was obtained in advance by The Associated Press.

"I know that Iraq and other difficult choices America faces in the war on terror will continue to be a source of friction within the Congress, between the Congress and the president and in the wider public debate," Gates said in prepared testimony.

"Considering this, I would like to close with a word about something I know we can all agree on - the honor, courage and great sense of duty we have witnessed in our troops," he added.

A group of anti-war protesters in the hearing room cheered at several points during Byrd's speech, including when the West Virginia Democrat asked Gates whether America was more secure "as a result of this massive, astronomical investment."

"I believe the answer is crystal clear. We are not!" Byrd said.

In February, President Bush requested $141.7 billion for the wars; officials said at the time the figure was only a rough estimate and could climb. In July, the Defense Department asked Congress for another $5.3 billion to buy 1,500 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

Gates said Wednesday another $42 billion is needed to cover additional unforeseen requirements. The extra money includes:

- $11 billion to field another 7,000 MRAP vehicles in addition to the 8,000 already planned;

- $9 billion to reconstitute equipment and technology;

- $6 billion for training and equipment of troops;

- $1 billion to improve U.S. facilities in the region and consolidate bases in Iraq; and

- $1 billion to train and equip Iraqi security forces.

The $190 billion total would cover war costs for the 2008 budget year, which begins Monday. Congress was on track this week to pass a stopgap spending bill that would keep the war afloat for several more weeks, giving Democrats time to figure out their next step on the war.

Democrats say they plan to use the spending request as leverage to bring troops home, although they lack a veto-proof majority to do so.

Congress should approve the request as quickly as possible "and without excessive and counterproductive restrictions," Gates will tell the Senate, according to his testimony. Doing so, he added, helps the Pentagon to better manage its resources and avoid shifting money around, which often requires additional cash.

Wednesday's request of $42 billion takes into account Bush's decision to bring home five Army brigades by next summer, Gates said.

To date, Congress has appropriated about $450 billion for the war in Iraq, and $127 billion for Afghanistan.