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US House seeks to stop funds for new Iraq embassy
The US House of Representatives on Tuesday sought to block the Bush administration from using funds in an emergency war spending bill to build an embassy in Baghdad, a move that could delay construction. The House voted 258-170 in favor of a measure, introduced by a Republican, that would stop the money being used for embassy construction, maintenance and security. House supporters of the amendment to the $81 billion spending bill argued that building an embassy could not be considered an emergency. They said because of the tight fiscal situation and record budget deficit it should be considered through the regular budget process later in the year.
I dunno, it's got to get built at some point.
President George W. Bush asked for $658 million for the embassy but lawmakers cut it back last week to $592 million. The Senate, which is expected to take up its version of the bill in April, would need to back the same measure for it to become law. The House is expected to easily pass its bill on Wednesday. "We need an embassy in Iraq but we've always known we need an embassy in Iraq, so why did it come in an emergency bill," said North Carolina Republican Rep. Sue Myrick. The decision is a blow to the Bush administration which argues that the funds need to be released quickly so building could get under way. "We must begin construction of this compound as soon as possible in order to improve the safety and security of our employees," the White House budget office said in a statement.
Posted by: Steve White 2005-03-16
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=58983