Supplemental aid for 2002

U.S. Military and Police Aid:
Supplemental aid for 2003

On March 25, 2003, the Bush Administration requested an additional $74.7 billion from Congress to pay for its war with Iraq and other "war on terrorism" priorities. The bill includes about $105 million in new military and police assistance for Colombia.

On April 1, the Appropriations Committees of both houses of Congress "marked up" (agreed upon drafts of) their versions of the funding request (H.R. 1559 and S. 762). Neither altered the administration's request for Colombia.

On April 3, the full House and Senate considered the funding request. In the House, Reps. Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts), Ike Skelton (D-Missouri), and Rosa DeLauro (D-New Haven) introduced an amendment seeking to cut $61 million of the Colombia aid. After 40 minutes of debate, the amendment failed by a vote of 216-209.

Rep. McGovern introduced his amendment.
Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Arizona) spoke in opposition.
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-New York) was sidelined by laryngitis, but submitted a statement in favor.
Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Missouri) spoke in favor.
Rep. Tom Davis (R-Virginia) spoke in opposition.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut) spoke in favor.
Rep. Cass Ballenger (R-North Carolina) spoke in opposition.
Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-California) spoke in favor.
Rep. Mark Souder (R-Indiana) spoke in opposition.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) spoke in favor.
Rep. John Mica (R-Florida) spoke in opposition.
Rep. Diane Watson (D-California) spoke in favor.
Rep. McGovern (D-Massachusetts) spoke in favor.
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Florida) spoke in opposition.

On April 16, the bill, complete with $105 million in additional security aid for Colombia, was signed into law as Public Law 108-11.

Read a memorandum from CIP explaining the contents of the request.
Read a similar memorandum from the Latin America Working Group.
Memorandum: CIP position on Colombia aid in Iraq supplemental, April 2, 2003
Read a March 28 memorandum to House Appropriators from Reps. Ike Skelton (D-Missouri), Jim McGovern (D-Massachusetts), and Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut)
Read the entire text of the funding request, from the White House Office of Management and Budget (PDF format).

On April 16, President Bush signed the bill into law.