Bush asks $50 billion more for military

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Wednesday proposed the biggest increase in military spending in 20 years, nearly $50 billion more next year, and said America "will not cut corners" in the war against terrorism.

He pledged he would not seek political advantage from the war.

The president outlined the military part of his fiscal 2003 budget proposal in a luncheon speech before the Reserve Officers Association. He said his highest budget priority is twofold — the military abroad and safety at home — even though that will create financial strain for the federal government.

"I have a responsibility to prepare the nation for all that lies ahead," Bush said. "There will be no room for misunderstanding. The most basic commitment of our government will be the security of our country."

Bush said the extra money would go toward missile defense and pay increases for service personnel and acquisition of precision weaponry, unmanned vehicles and high-tech equipment.

On Capitol Hill, some Democrats greeted Bush’s plan with skepticism. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, defense chairman for the Senate Appropriations Committee, said lawmakers would be reluctant to sign onto the plan "unless the president can justify it."

Sen. John Warner, R-Va., ranking member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, said he believes Congress ultimately will support Bush. "Clearly, the people of the United States understand the terrorist threat poised at this nation, and will accept and indeed applaud the president’s initiative," Warner said.

Bush’s budget will project deficits of $106 billion for this year and $80 billion for the 2003 fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, White House budget chief Mitchell Daniels said. He said Bush anticipates a return to surpluses in 2005, with $61 billion in black ink.