UPDATE: On June 16th, the House passed the final conference report on Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009 (HR 2346) to meet our troops' needs and implement the President's plans for Iraq and Afghanistan. The President signed the bill into law on June 24th. To see bill highlights of the final legislation, please visit this page»

On May 14th, 2009, the House passed the Supplemental Appropriations Act for Iraq and Afghanistan, H.R. 2346, which meets our troops' needs while implementing the President's plans for Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill:
Provides Our Troops What They Need:  The Supplemental provides our troops in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan with everything they need during the remainder of FY 2009.  For example, it provides needed equipment – including providing $2.2 billion more than requested for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to protect our troops.

Compensation for Stop-Loss:  Recognizing the hardship placed on troops and their families by being forced to remain on active duty longer than planned, the bill provides $734 million to retroactively provide servicemembers and veterans $500 for every month they served under stop-loss orders since 2001.

Plan for Ending War in Iraq:  In February, fulfilling one of his key campaign pledges, President Obama announced a plan for bringing an end to the war in Iraq – removing all combat troops by August 2010.  The Supplemental is consistent with the President’s plan to begin winding down the number of combat troops in Iraq over the next several months. 

Plan for Refocusing Efforts on Afghanistan:  President Obama has also announced a plan for refocusing our efforts to root out terrorism in Afghanistan.  This plan has many components – a U.S. military component but also building up training for the Afghan military and police, governance reforms, and funding economic development.

• The bill includes $5.1 billion for Afghanistan, including $3.6 billion for training Afghan security forces and police; $980 million for economic development, strengthening governance, and expanding the rule of law; and $536 million for diplomatic operations, including additional civilian staff.

Pakistan:  In addition, President Obama recognizes that, in order to successfully confront terrorism in Afghanistan, we need new initiatives in Pakistan – in order to strengthen that democracy and improve its ability to confront the growing threat posed by the Taliban.

• The bill includes $2.3 billion for Pakistan, including $400 million, provided through the Defense Department, for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund to help train and equip the Pakistani security forces for counterinsurgency; and a total of $1.9 billion provided through the State Department, including $597 million for addressing the economic crisis, strengthening governance, expanding the rule of law, and improving education; $897 million for a new secure embassy and consulates in Pakistan; $46 million for diplomatic operations including additional civilian staff; and $400 million for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund, available September 30th 2009.

Report to Congress on Afghanistan and Pakistan:  The Supplemental requires the President, by February 2010, to report to Congress on an assessment of the performance of the Afghan and Pakistani governments in five key areas.  However, there are no deadlines or timelines in the bill.

Pandemic Flu Response:  The Supplemental provides a total of $2 billion for pandemic flu response, to expand the federal stockpiles of anti-viral drugs, develop and purchase vaccines, assist state and local responses and support global efforts to track and contain the spread of a pandemic.

Other Key Provisions:  Some of the other provisions in the Supplemental include:

• Providing funding for other key areas in the Middle East, including economic aid and security assistance for Israel, Egypt, West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and Lebanon.
• Providing $470 million, $404 million above the President’s request, to address growing violence along the U.S.-Mexico border by supporting the Government of Mexico’s war against organized crime and drug-trafficking.
• Providing $500 million, $200 million above the President’s request, for international food assistance during the current global economic crisis.
• Providing $343 million, $50 million above the President’s request, for international refugee assistance.
• Providing $200 million for international disaster assistance to help avert famines and provide life-saving assistance.
• Providing $250 million for combating wildfires in the U.S.