President signs $79B bill funding war on terrorism

President Bush today signed a supplemental budget bill allotting $79 billion for the war on terrorism. The bill provides funding for Operation Iraqi Freedom, international assistance and Iraqi relief and reconstruction, and homeland security.

The bill was passed with what the White House called "unprecedented" speed. In 23 days the supplemental funds were requested, the bill ? H.R. 1559 ? passed by Congress, and was signed into law. Bush had asked Congress for $74.7 billion in supplemental funds last month.

The bill provides:

* $62.6 billion for operations in Iraq (an amount equal to the president's request)

* $8.2 billion for international assistance programs and a new Iraq Relief and Reconstruction fund ($400 million more than the president's request)

* $4.3 billion for homeland security ($100 million more than the president's request)

* $3 billion for aviation industry assistance, including funds to compensate air carriers for making required security improvements to aircraft, (funds the president did not request)

* $136 million for the legislative branch for terrorism prevention requirements, and for salaries and expenses ($11 million more than the president requested)