2007 war spending bill at a glance

Ron Burgundy · 04-23-2007, 05:33 PM

AP - House and Senate Democrats tentatively have agreed to 2007 war spending legislation that:

? Funds more than $90 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

? Begins withdrawal of troops from Iraq on Oct. 1, with the goal of ending combat by April 1, 2008.

? Requires troop withdrawal to begin July 1 if President Bush cannot certify that the Iraqi government is making progress in disarming militias, reducing sectarian violence and forging political agreements.

? Restricts foreign aid spending in Iraq if benchmarks are not met.

? Allows Bush to keep troops in Iraq after the withdrawal date to conduct counterterrorism missions, protect U.S. infrastructure and personnel and train Iraqi security forces.

? Bars deployment of troops not deemed "fully mission capable" and limits combat tours to one year for Army units and seven months for Marines. Allows president to waive these restrictions.

? Adds about $25 billion not requested by Bush for medical care for troops and veterans, aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, farm disaster relief and other programs.

? Raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. Includes $4.8 billion in tax cuts for small businesses over 10 years.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070423/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq_glance [link]

DosEquis · 04-23-2007, 05:45 PM

The only part I have a major objection to is the following:

aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, farm disaster relief and other programs.

? Raise the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. Includes $4.8 billion in tax cuts for small businesses over 10 years.

That is mainly because they have nothing to do with the war. This is a war funding bill and it should be related. I am ok with aid to katrina victims if spent properly, I am ok with a raise to 7.25 because most already make that anyway...it would simply make the government minimum what the market has already determined to be the minimum for most..and really does nothing. The tax cut for small business, I am curious as to what qualifies as "small" but I am ok with it for the most part.