Congress to Work on Tsunami Victims' Aid [View All]

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON Dec 30, 2004 — When a new Congress convenes next week, lawmakers will call on the Bush administration to do all it can to help victims of the tsunamis in Asia and Africa. Questions of how much aid will be needed and how to pay for it will come later.

Lawmakers and congressional aides say the Bush administration should have enough funds available for immediate relief operations without having to request more right away. But more money will likely be needed at some point to replenish emergency funds depleted by the disaster and to help pay for longer term relief and reconstruction.

Some lawmakers say a request could be part of a package expected early next year for funding for the Iraq war, for which the administration is likely to ask for $75 billion to $100 billion.

A senior Democrat, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said the administration should seek new funds as part of the Iraq package instead of stripping money from existing foreign aid programs, such as those fighting childhood hunger and diseases.

Another option, Leahy said, would be using billions of unspent dollars intended for Iraq reconstruction. The administration has spent little of the $18.4 billion in reconstruction funds approved by Congress last year, citing security problems and bureaucratic delays.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=371259&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Cheney will have to renew his remark to Leahy :)