WASHINGTON — A war-spending bill approved by the Senate includes $400 million in payments to rural counties in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and other states.
The bill to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also includes $300 million for cleanup efforts at nuclear sites around the country, including the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state, as well $64 million to help rebuild roads damaged in devastating floods in Washington state and $75 million to help alleviate fishery disasters around the country, including West Coast salmon. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez recently declared a federal fishery disaster for West Coast salmon.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said it was crucial that lawmakers continue payments to rural areas that once depended on federal timber money to pay for schools, libraries and other services. The one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act should keep rural schools and communities afloat, Wyden said.
The House still has to act on the spending bill, which President Bush has threatened to veto. Last week, the House voted to reject money for continuing the Iraq war.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., hailed the domestic spending amendment, which was approved 75-22. A separate amendment to pay for the war passed 70-26. Both margins would be enough to override a veto.
“The legislation passed today will help to save jobs, repair roads, care for veterans and aid rural communities right here in Washington state,” Murray said. “Unfortunately, the president believes the only emergencies worthy of American tax dollars are overseas. I urge the president to reconsider once again turning his back on our needs here at home.”
The flood money includes $46.2 million for Washington state roads damaged in storms last December and another $17.8 million to repair damage from storms in November 2006. Murray called the money critical to helping Washington communities rebuild.
The money for fishery disasters is in addition to $170 million approved in the recent farm bill for the disaster-plagued Pacific Coast salmon fishing industry.
The governors of Washington, Oregon and California, who requested the federal disaster declaration, have estimated that losses will rise to $290 million as they ripple through the economy. California is seeking $208 million in disaster aid, Oregon $45 million and Washington $36 million.
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