More funds for 'War on Terror'

The world will not be hearing less of the war on terror anytime soon as U.S. President Bush signed another law into action to increase funds for the war on terror.

The H.R. 5631, the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2007,” was signed on Sept. 29. It is an act that appropriates the funds needed for the war on terror in order to expand American interests in the world, and aid the armed forces to put the law into action.

This new law now brings the money allotted to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and other activities related to the war on terror to $ 507 billion.

“I applaud Congress for passing [this] legislation," President Bush said. " [This law] will provide our men and women in uniform with the necessary resources to protect our country and win the war on terror. As our troops risk their lives to fight terrorism, this bill will ensure they are prepared to defeat today’s enemies and address tomorrow’s threats,” he said prior to signing the bill, reported by the White House office of the press secretary.

The bill includes $70 billion in emergency funds to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and $24 billion for the Army and Marine Corps to maintain their equipment and replace any if needed.

Main Pentagon programs have also been granted $378 billion, nearly a 5 percent increase.

Bush clarified that the act does not allow for the initiation of a special access program or a new program without the congressional defense committees receiving prior notice. He said this notice could be provided, but also added that in certain situations, i.e. wartime, the president has the authority to act immediately under the powers that are granted to him under the constitution.