CRAPO ISSUES STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF FISCAL YEAR 2007 SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING MEASURE

Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo tonight voted in favor of the supplemental spending measure that will provide critical funding for U.S. troops and for a number of domestic programs. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 80-14; the House passed the same measure earlier this evening. It now heads to the White House for final approval. The following is Crapo's statement:"This long-anticipated legislation will provide needed funds for our military, as well as several vital programs in Idaho and throughout the country," Crapo said. "While I am disappointed that the process has dragged on so long, I am pleased that Congress has finally enacted a bill that does not hamstring our military commanders in the field with impractical timelines and conditions. Our troops and their families deserve the full support of the American people, and with this step, Congress is finally acting to provide them with the resources they need. "Additionally, this measure will bring critical dollars to Idaho communities, including $425 million for payments to rural counties through the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act; $3 billion for agriculture disaster aid; $1 billion for homeland security; and $500 million to combat Western wildfires."Among its provisions, this measure:- Provides a total of $102.96 billion in funding for military operations in the global war on terror- Includes $17 billion for domestic programs such as the Wildlands Fire Management, Secure Rural Schools, and $2.87 billion in additional Katrina funding. - Does not provide a date certain for beginning the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. -Contains language related to benchmarks for the Iraqi government to meet and conditions U.S. strategy in Iraq on progress in meeting those benchmarks.