Iraq War, Hurricane Aid Agreement ReachedFriday June 9, 2006 5:31 AM
AP Photo WCAP103
By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - House and Senate Republican leaders Thursday finalized agreement
on a long-sought $94.5 billion bill to pay for the war in Iraq and deliver a much-needed
infusion of relief to Louisiana and other hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast states.
The bill won't clear Congress for President Bush's desk until next week, but the official
submission of the deal eases Pentagon worries of a money crunch caused by weeks of delays
in creating a compromise bill.
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The bill includes $65.8 billion for military operations and maintenance in Afghanistan and
Iraq, personnel and energy costs and new weapons and ammunition and a $2 billion initiative
to locate and disarm roadside bombs.
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The bill also contains $19.8 billion in new money for hurricane relief along the Gulf Coast,
including housing aid and flood control projects for Louisiana, small business disaster loans,
rebuilding federal facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina and replenishing Federal Emergency
Management Agency disaster relief coffers.
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Full article:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5874431,00.htmlThe compromise bill also includes several border security measures.