Senate Passes Supplemental; Fight Looms Over Price Tag.

This article reports that the U.S. Senate gave final approval today to a $108.9 billion FY06 emergency supplemental spending bill on a 78-20 vote. The measure funds operations in Iraq and Afghanistan at about $65.7 billion, and the Pentagon is pressing the Congress to complete action before departing for the Memorial Day recess at the end of the month. It also includes $28.9 billion for rebuilding needs in the Gulf Coast and disaster relief in other areas; $4.5 billion in foreign aid to Iraq, Iran, Sudan and other nations; $2.6 billion for security along the U.S.-Mexico border and port security; $2.6 billion to prepare for a possible pandemic flu outbreak and compensate those injured by experimental drugs; $3.9 billion in aid to farmers and ranchers hit by drought, frost, floods and other disasters; and $35.6 million for mine safety. President George W. Bush and the House argue that the emergency bill is tailored to provide funds for the war effort, Gulf Coast hurricane relief, and more recently they have acknowledged the need to address the potential flu pandemic.