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Senate diverts some war funds to U.S. security
Amendment would move money for tightening borders, aiding port security
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WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Wednesday to divert some of the money President Bush requested for the war in Iraq to instead increase patrols against illegal immigrants on the nation’s borders and provide the Coast Guard with new boats and helicopters.
An amendment cutting Bush’s Iraq request by $1.9 billion to pay for new Border Patrol agents, aircraft and some fencing at border crossings widely used by illegal immigrants was adopted on 59-39 vote.
While the border security funds had sweeping support, Democrats and Republicans argued over whether the cuts to Pentagon war funds would harm troops on the ground in Iraq. The cuts, offered by Judd Gregg, R-N.H., trim Bush’s request for the war by almost 3 percent but don’t specify how.
The vote came in the wake of a toughly worded promise by the White House to veto the $106.5 billion measure unless it is cut back to below $95 billion.
Partisan sparring
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said Gregg’s cuts would “take money from troop pay, body armor and even joint improvised explosive device defeat fund. Now, that is a false choice and it is a wrong choice.”
Gregg responded heatedly, arguing that the cuts eventually would come from other parts of the massive Pentagon budget rather than U.S. forces in Iraq.
“To come down here and allege that these funds are going to come out of the needs of the people on the front lines in Iraq or Afghanistan is pure poppycock,” he said.
An amendment by Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada to add the border security funds but not tap the Pentagon for them failed by a 54-44 vote.
White House wants ‘focused’ compromise
In its veto statement, the White House said the bill contains too many items that are “unrelated to the war or emergency hurricane relief needs.” It said a final House-Senate compromise on it “must remain focused on addressing urgent national priorities while maintaining fiscal discipline.”
The move is likely to force senators to drop most of their $14 billion in add-ons for farm aid, highway repairs, aid to the Gulf Coast fishing industry and other projects. The additional money had won the ire of the White House and GOP congressional leaders and scorn from conservatives allies whose support is crucial on Election Day.
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