WASHINGTON, D.C.—HR 2346, the "Supplemental Appropriations ACT of 2009" was introduced into the House on May 12, 2009. It passed two days later and was sent to the Senate without a total price tag indicated, but it seems to equal about $100 billion, most of which is earmarked for military operations, including $3,000,000,000 for military construction, and $55,000,000 for nuclear weapons.

$1,850,000,000 is designated for the ‘Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund’ to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic, including the development and purchase of vaccines, antivirals, necessary medical supplies, diagnostics, and other surveillance tools and to assist international efforts and respond to international needs relating to the 2009-H1N1 influenza outbreak; $300,000,000 additional is for ‘Global Health and Child Survival,’ ($200,000,000 for pandemic preparedness and response and $100,000,000 for the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS).

An Economic Support Fund of $2,907,500,000, is designated for Somalia, Pakistan, Europe, Eurasia, Central Asia and Georgia; ‘International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement’, $483,500,000, including $160,000,000 for Mexico to combat drug trafficking and related violence and organized crime, and $98,500,000,for ‘Anti-Terrorism and Related Programs.’

For ‘Foreign Military Financing Programs,’ $1,349,000,000, including $310,000,000 for Mexico, and not less than $555,000,000 for Israel is to be disbursed within 30 days of the enactment of this Act, while not more than $119,000,000 may be made available to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for activities in the West Bank and Gaza.

And $71,606,000, is designated to purchase and install a new radio system for the Capitol Police.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) spoke out in opposition to this bill, stating, "I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2346, War Supplemental Appropriations for FY 2009. This bill devotes an additional $84.5 billion to military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan for fiscal year 2009. The U.S. cannot be in and out of Iraq at the same time. The U.S. has agreed to withdraw all combat troops from Iraqi cities by July of this year. However, recent news reports indicate that some combat troops will remain beyond this date.

"Our continued funding of war operations in Iraq only ensures our continued presence and undermines our stated goals for withdrawal by 2011. Funding of expanded combat operations in Afghanistan will not meet the security objectives of the U.S. Sending additional brave American service members to Afghanistan does not increase security and it is not an act of diplomacy. Sending additional troops sends one message: The U.S. is ramping up combat operations. This message only encourages the Taliban and other insurgent groups to do likewise.

"We have ensured that the months and perhaps years ahead will be bloody. And we have failed to present an exit strategy. Bombing raids and drone attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan have inflamed the civilian populations in these countries. Security cannot blossom from the ravages of war. Terrorism will not be stopped by acts of terror."

Tom Hayden and Joseph Gerson, in their article "The Politics of Escalation," (The Nation: 5/12/09), added: "Indications are that there will be no benchmarks or conditions set on the $96 billion supplemental appropriation before Congress beginning this week. The administration, which once promised no more rushed supplemental appropriation, is rolling funds for war and swine flu into one package."

Not only is Congress spending credit like drunken Wall Street executives, the spending is for more war when the Democrats were elected under the promise that war and war spending would de-escalate under Obama.

The bill has been sent to the Senate. Debate may be taking place on a companion bill in the Senate, rather than on this particular bill.