| WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 — Congress gave final approval Monday to an $87.5 billion package for U.S. military operations and aid in Iraq and Afghanistan.
HANDING A VICTORY to President Bush a day after Americans in Iraq endured their worst casualties since March, the Senate approved the bill by voice vote. The House, putting aside questions about the mission in Iraq, gave its strong endorsement to the package last week, adopting it by a vote of 298-121.
The legislation, which closely mirrors the original White House request, now goes to Bush for his signature.
“As the president said time and time again, we will not walk away from Iraq,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, a leading author of the bill. “We will not leave the Iraqi people in chaos, and we will not create a vacuum for terrorist groups to fill.” | |
