Supplemental Approved Chock Full Of Non-Military Stuff

(MoneyWatch)  President Obama approved the last supplemental defense spending law last night. The bill contains non-defense spending as well as also saving some programs recommended for termination by the Obama Administration. The original cost of the bill as requested by the Executive Branch was around $83 billion. The final version now passed by the House and Senate is up to $105 billion.

It funds operations in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as buying eight more C-17 aircraft not requested by the Air Force. The Defense Department plans to retire eight C-5 aircraft to make up the difference in the size of the fleet. Of course Congress can prevent that by inserting language into another bill limiting funds for that effort. This order is good for Boeing as it allows continued production for a few more years preserving some jobs.

The Supplemental Bill also includes long lead material for more F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighters as previously reported. The Department of Defense has already expressed concern with this funding as the end of the very expensive production program is key to their plans to re-balance the force. On top of that in the regular 2010 defense budget the House cut back on F-35 JSF production which is supposed to be accelerated to make up for the F-22 end.

The bill also contains much non-defense spending. Some of it is for Swine Flu countermeasures by the Government as well as increased aid to Afghanistan. Like many such bills there are also small additions that will add up in the long run such as $2 million for Congressional Budget Office (CBO) salaries. This will probably fund some expansion with that office.

The problem is that Congressmen and Senators know that this kind of bill will be passed and signed by the President due to its importance. This means they can add a few things and vote with a clear conscience as most of the money is going for what is intended. It is rare for a supplemental or emergency funding bill not to pass. The only issue that arose with this one that might have seriously delayed it was an attempt by liberal Democrats to attach plans to put limits on U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.

Obama has promised to include future operations as part of the full budget and not request any more supplementals. If it is possible to carry out this policy remains to be seen. There may be emerging requirements or activity might be higher then planned leading to another request of Congress.