The Bush administration will ask Congress for more than $240 billion to cover the cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for the next two fiscal years.
Mr. Bush is seeking more than $90 billion for the current fiscal year, to go along with the $70 billion already approved by lawmakers. He will also ask for more than $140 billion to cover war costs for fiscal year 2008, which begins October 1. The money is separate from the $481 billion the president will request for the military's regular 2008 budget.
The administration has obtained funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan operations through emergency spending bills. Lawmakers have criticized the practice, saying the emergency bills are not subject to the same scrutiny as regular spending bills.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
