U.S. President Barack Obama delivers a statement the morning after Donald Trump was elected as the next U.S. president in Washington, U.S., November 9, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Reuters: Obama asks for $11.6 billion more in supplemental defense budget
U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday sent a request to Congress for an additional $11.6 billion in supplemental war-related funding, which would include money to fight Islamic State militants and sustain high overseas troop levels.
The request, detailed in a letter released by the White House, seeks an additional $5.8 billion for the Pentagon for military operations in Afghanistan and fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and an $5.8 billion for the State Department and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for fiscal 2017.
Obama made the request just before Congress returns to Washington for its “lame duck” session before the new Congress starts in January.
"For the Department of Defense, this plan reflects the evolving nature of our military campaign against ISIL and our efforts in Afghanistan," U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said in a statement, using an acronym for Islamic State.
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Update: Obama Sends $11.6B Anti-Terror Request to Lame-Duck Congress (AP)
WNU Editor: My expectation is that President-elect Trump will be more focused on his domestic agenda in 2017 .... but in regards to his foreign agenda .... the wars and making some accommodation with Russia will be his priority. Will he succeed? On Russia I am optimistic .... no one wants a new Cold War .... but on the wars .... they are just black holes for money and human lives. My prediction .... making the final decision to limit and/or cut ties to these conflicts will probably be the most difficult foreign policy decision that President-elect Trump will be making as President.
