White House to request billions for Iraq war, hurricane relief

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WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House has told Congress to expect requests for about $70 billion in additional funding for the ongoing budget year for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and $18 billion more for hurricane relief, a Senate GOP aide says.

The details of the requests are not finalized but President Bush's budget for 2007, to be submitted next week, will reflect the totals for planning purposes, said the aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another $2.3 billion to combat avian flu is also expected.

The funding for Iraq is in addition to $50 billion approved in December and should be enough to conduct the war through September 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Bush is also expected to set aside $50 billion in the 2007 budget for the war effort, though such funds won't be enough for to fund the war for the entire year.