Emergency war funding to bypass Congress?

SpicyMcVoodoo · 10-31-2006, 06:53 PM

Air Force said to seek $50 bln emergency funds - Yahoo! News

"Rumsfeld is playing budgetary chicken with Capitol Hill. Congress is saying it's time to stop doing budgeting outside the regular process, and the secretary is saying, 'Well, give us the money we need to defend the nation'," Thompson said.

I'm not sure how this works, but the article gives the impression that if the military makes emergency funding requests, it doesn't have to go through Congress. Well if that's the case, then what's with all the talk about Dems defunding the war if they gain power? Couldn't the military get the money regardless through emergency requests?

Diesel66 · 10-31-2006, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Air Force said to seek $50 bln emergency funds - Yahoo! News

I'm not sure how this works, but the article gives the impression that if the military makes emergency funding requests, it doesn't have to go through Congress. Well if that's the case, then what's with all the talk about Dems defunding the war if they gain power? Couldn't the military get the money regardless through emergency requests?

No. The emergency funding requests are still passed by Congress.

DosEquis · 10-31-2006, 08:19 PM

With the latest bill passed last month, Congress has approved about $507 billion in spending for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, under some 13 "emergency" spending requests, according to the Congressional Research Service.

kinggovernor · 10-31-2006, 09:15 PM

no congress has to approve

DosEquis · 11-01-2006, 03:55 AM

And what if they don't approve 50 billion? Do they look like assholes who "dont support the military"?

This thing smells of fresh cooked bacon on sunday brunch and they are exploiting "well its our soldiers you dont support if it is not approved" again. As things like this pile up the grass is looking greener in amsterdam where i can at least smoke pot and buy hookers while nobody gives a fuck.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-01-2006, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

No. The emergency funding requests are still passed by Congress.

Then what is the difference? The article said it doesn't have to go through the same rigorous screening by Congress or something. Is it just that Congress rubber stamps emergency requests?

ballz2wallz · 11-01-2006, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

And what if they don't approve 50 billion? Do they look like assholes who "dont support the military"?

This thing smells of fresh cooked bacon on sunday brunch and they are exploiting "well its our soldiers you dont support if it is not approved" again. As things like this pile up the grass is looking greener in amsterdam where i can at least smoke pot and buy hookers while nobody gives a fuck.

That's not even an issue to worry about. They voted for the war; they won't vote against funding it. It's just paperwork they have to go through.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-01-2006, 06:02 PM

I wonder how inefficiently this money is being spent when getting an extra 50 billion is as easy as putting in a request.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-01-2006, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

As things like this pile up the grass is looking greener in amsterdam where i can at least smoke pot and buy hookers while nobody gives a fuck.

DosEquis · 11-01-2006, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

That's not even an issue to worry about. They voted for the war; they won't vote against funding it. It's just paperwork they have to go through.

I agree they should fund it, but to just blindly authorize 50 billion because rummy says so is quite stupid.

Diesel66 · 11-01-2006, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by SpicyMcVoodoo

Then what is the difference? The article said it doesn't have to go through the same rigorous screening by Congress or something. Is it just that Congress rubber stamps emergency requests?

?????

Difference between having this as a seperate bill means every Congressman has a straight forward yes or no vote on the war. And that can be used against them politically if they vote against it. Plus since it isnt in the planned budget, it has no funding to pay for it.

SpicyMcVoodoo · 11-01-2006, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

?????

Difference between having this as a seperate bill means every Congressman has a straight forward yes or no vote on the war. And that can be used against them politically if they vote against it. Plus since it isnt in the planned budget, it has no funding to pay for it.

Isn't most of the funding to pay for these wars outside of the budget anyway?