The US House of Representatives gave President Bush the $87.5 billion he sought for Iraq. On Friday, the Senate also approved the package, sending the package to the president.
The 298-121 House vote late Thursday night was a victory for Bush.
The package, for expenses during the current budget year, includes nearly $65 billion for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and $18.6 billion to rebuild Iraq and improve the country's security and law enforcement.
According to The AP, the Iraq reconstruction money includes $3.2 billion for security and law enforcement, $5.6 billion for the electric sector, $1.9 billion for rebuilding the oil industry and $4.3 billion for water and sanitation.
In another boost to Bush, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday the plan to send the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops to Iraq would not be delayed despite the withdrawal of the United Nations, Kyodo News reported.
"We can do something to help the Iraqi people help themselves rebuild. We'll dispatch the SDF after checking local situations," Koizumi was quoted as saying in Yokohama city near Tokyo. (Albawaba.com)
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