08 February 2007
Bush Seeks $294.8 Billion for Counterterrorism

Budget request highlights military operations, international partnerships

By David McKeeby
USINFO Staff Writer
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m=February&x=20070207133325idybeekcm0.2077143

Washington -? President Bush asked Congress for significant spending increases in fiscal year 2008 to fight terrorism and to safeguard the United States from future attacks.

“As commander in chief, my highest priority is the security of the nation,” Bush said in a letter introducing the White House’s 2008 funding request. “My budget invests substantial resources to fight the Global War on Terror and ensure our homeland is protected from those who would do us harm.”

The White House is seeking $294.8 billion to fund global counterterrorism operations, including $99.6 billion for fiscal year 2007, $145.2 billion in 2008 and $50 billion in 2009.

The majority of the funding would be allocated to the Department of Defense, but $9.3 billion is being sought for the State Department, and $0.5 billion for other agencies.

These funds are in addition to the $70 billion passed by Congress for the Defense Department in 2006.

Since 2001, Congress has appropriated more than $425 billion for anti-terrorism activities across the U.S. government.