Congress to Work on Tsunami Victims' Aid

[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 :)

[The Sushi Bandit]

1. Boy, the Tsunami Victims are in trouble now!

How can Norway give more than the US!!

Bush is soooo Fucked-up

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. to whom should I write my message of anger?

Would it help to write my Senators? I want it conveyed in no uncertain terms that the United States can and will offer a hell of a lot more than $25 million for this effort.

[hopein08]

3. I'm starting to like Leahy...

What better to spend unused Iraq $$$ on than the tsunami aid?

Here's my question...

Will the Senate give the WH the $75-$100 billion for Iraq? They ought to at least subtract the $18.4 billion from the total and say "Spend that, dumbasses!"

[Rose Siding]

4. He's brilliant to link it to the upcoming Iraq supplemental

Leahy's cool (and he's got that spirit of Ben Franklin thing going on in my imagination)

[cali]

5. Leahy is a wonderful guy

Google Leahy and landmines- no one in Congress has done as much as Pat.
Google Leahy and IWR and read his speech prior to the vote.
Pat said yesterday on VPR that he just about went through the roof when he heard that all the US had pledged was 35 mil.
He's a terrific guy. The more you learn about him, the more you'll like him.