Senate approves 80 billion dollars for Iraq war, airlines

WASHINGTON (AFP) Apr 04, 2003
The US Senate late Thursday unaminously passed a supplemental budget amendment authorizing 78.7 billion dollars in funding to cover the costs of war in Iraq and the start of reconstruction.

The upper house of Congress granted a request from President George W. Bush for some 74.7 billion dollars and tacked on additional items including a 3.5 billion rescue package for the struggling aviation transport sector to help absorb some of the losses suffered by airlines because of the war.

The vote passed 93-0.

The House of Representatives was expected to pass a similar measure that includes 2.2 billion dollars for the airlines.

The White House had opposed the support.

SPACE.WIRE