President Bush is asking Congress to approve an additional $45.9 billion to fund war costs and "other urgent national security needs." According to a statement released by the White House earlier this week, the request for extra money will ensure the protection, equipping, and readiness of U.S. military forces.
The money will also go to support ongoing military and intelligence operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and care for the wounded and their families.
The $45.9 billion comes on top of a February request for $145 billion in war costs, bringing the grand total to $196.4 billion for fiscal year 2008.
The White House said in a press release that the additional request is based upon the findings and recent testimonies of General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker.
General Petraeus has commanded the Multi-National Force-Iraq since February 2006. Part of the sworn testimony Petraeus gave before Congress in September included a report that conditions on the ground in Iraq had improved, but more funding is needed to continue making progress.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in his own testimony before Congress, provided lawmakers with the expected total cost of the war for 2008.
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