WP: Congress Hesitant to Give a 'Blank Check'

[kskiska]

Pentagon Seeks Free Rein on War Money

President Bush asked Congress yesterday to approve a new $25 billion "contingency fund" for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, but members of both parties in Congress indicated strong reservations about giving the Pentagon the free hand it is seeking to spend the money.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the open-ended request would give the Pentagon flexibility to deal with the highly fluid situation in Iraq, and was not meant to subvert Congress's constitutional mandate to give prior approval to spending.

But after military setbacks and recent allegations of Americans abusing Iraqi prisoners, key senators seemed far more reluctant to give the Pentagon free rein.

(snip)

"We need to find a way to act quickly to support our troops while still holding the executive branch accountable for how these funds will be used," said Sen. Carl M. Levin (Mich.), the panel's ranking Democrat.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24139-2004May13.html

[AZCat]

1. Flexibility?

Does that mean they are going to use the money to build up for an invasion of Iran or Syria, like they did with the $700 million?

The LAST thing Congress should do is trust these jackasses to spend the money the way they want.

[xultar]

2. Rummy don't get no Money untill I see and EFFIN EXIT STRATEGY!!!

WTF are they smokin crack? What about not getting your allowance intil you finish your chores.

Do your chores Rummy then we'll see about the $$$$

[Tellurian]

4. Right! and tell your Congressman the same thing!

[leesa]

3. But they will...gotta feed the oil wars

Our Congress is just packed with the dumbest critters on the planet.

[GoldenOldie]

5. Time to make those calls and e-mails

Georgie & Company want more billions???? When do we start getting "representation." What is the function of Congress and if they aren't doing their job maybe we ought to downsize them.