Bush Signs $9B Military Construction Bill

[sfc_darrel]

Bush Signs $9B Military Construction Bill

November 22, 2003 08:29 PM EST


WASHINGTON - President Bush on Saturday signed a $9.3 billion military construction bill.

The amount is $1.4 billion below last year's level, but $200 million more than Bush's request. Lawmakers added more than 100 projects for military facilities in their home districts - money that the president had not sought.

The legislation provides money for projects throughout the country and improvements at U.S. bases overseas.

One of the final disputes that had delayed passage was resolved earlier this month when congressional bargainers agreed to split earmarks - money directed to specific home-district projects - 53 percent for the Senate and 47 percent for the House.

Earlier versions of the bill set aside roughly $700 million for Senate projects and $400 million for House earmarks.

http://start.earthlink.net/newsartic...7V00QS80_story

[HARDCORE]

SFC DARREL -

Two points on the above piece garnered my interest, and a few questions, I must admit?

1- Lawmakers added more than 100 projects for military facilities in their home districts - money that the president had not sought.

2- The legislation provides money for projects throughout the country and improvements at U.S. bases overseas.

With some seeking to re-instate the draft (?) in July 2004, four months before elections, could there be a message here? Or, and I seriously doubt it, could it be that some in power are finally beginning to realize the sad shape that some past & present politicos left our military in through base closures and lack of preparedness!

It is only my opinion, but our people are now fighting a war in which they were stripped down to where we stood in 1939-1941 Philippines, and 1950 Korea (24th. Division etc).

If this requested money does go for beefing up our military, hooray. If it is just more pork barrel for individual congressional districts, however, then some political changes need to be made! (opinion)

Earlier versions of the bill set aside roughly $700 million for Senate projects and $400 million for House earmarks (not very definitive)?! More (in depth) specifics on these pet government projects must be forthcoming, as almost no one would deny benefits (genuinely) earmarked for our military and our veterans! This money is sorely needed and way past due!!

But, on the other hand, if this "1 billion, 100 million dollars" is just to supply more of the good-life money for our representatives in Congress, if but under a different title, or boons to the friends of the Powers That Be, under a new guise, then they (politicians) had better remember that the re-election axe respects no particular political faction! "It cuts in both directions!" :cd:


VERITAS