VOLUME No: 73 Issue No:1

Washington, D.C. - May 6, 2005

$82 Billion Bill Approved by House

The House on Thursday passed the $82 billion fiscal 2005 supplemental spending measure by a vote of 368-58. The Senate is expected to approve the bill next week. The funds are mainly to be used by the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan and a small portion of around $4.2 billion as a foreign-aid package. The bill also encompasses the building of a new embassy in Baghdad, new immigration security measures such as border security and stricter driver’s licenses laws and an increase of compensation to the families of service members killed on active duty from $12,000 to $100,000. $200 million of the budget has been apportioned as an economic package to the Palestinian Authority.

House Appropriations Panel Approves Homeland Bill

A House Appropriations subcommittee on Wednesday approved a $31.9 billion funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The bulk of the budjet is allocated for border security, immigration policing and customs.

The draft bill falls short by $966 million that the President had originally sought for the Coast Guard and it rejects his request for an airline ticket fee increase. $5 million is also allocated to assist local police enforce federal immigration laws. Democrats and law enforcement experts say that could undermine cop-operation with local law enforcement officials from various communities because of the fear that their immigration status would be questioned and it could open doors to abuse.

Task Force to Address Religious Climate at the
United States Air Force Academy

Michael L. Dominguez, acting Secretary of the Air Force, directed the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady to create a cross-functional task force on the religious climate at the United States Air Force Academy.

The task force will focus on Air Force policy and guidance related to religious respect and tolerance, to the practices of the academy chain of command that either enhance or detract from a climate that respects both the “free exercise of religion” and the “establishment clauses” of the First Amendment.

Considerable efforts have been made during the past several months at the academy to address issues of religious tolerance and respect.

Mr. Dominguez said “This program encourages people to confidently and authentically live out their own faith and belief commitments and deeply respect others whose spiritual strength comes from a faith or source different from their own. Such mutual respect is essential to the culture of the Airmen.”