Obama Signs War Funding Bill

Washington Post

National Security

By Michael A. Fletcher

President Obama today signed into law a $105.9 billion war funding bill that supports his plan to step up the fight in Afghanistan until the end of September even as the war in Iraq continues to wind down.

"We face a security situation abroad that demands urgent attention. The Taliban is resurgent and al Qaeda is increasing its attacks from its safe haven along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border," Obama said. "The funding provided in this act will ensure that the full force of the United States is engaged in an overall effort to defeat al-Qaeda and uproot this safe haven."

The bill, which also includes controversial, new funding for the International Monetary Fund and $7.7 billion y to combat the H1N1 flu virus, was passed by Congress only after intense lobbying by the administration to overcome objections from both Republicans and Democrats. Along the way, lawmakers worried about the political ramifications releasing or incarcerating detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in their districts or states, stripped $80 million from the bill.

The Obama administration said that this "emergency" spending bill would be the last of its kind, and that subsequent war spending would go through the regular budget process.

Posted at 6:08 PM ET on Jun 26, 2009 | Category: National Security