National Security Legislative Wrap-Up

Confusion continues to reign over the remainder of the Fiscal Year 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year, Congress approved a first portion of funding at $86 billion. The timing, the composition and the procedures for the new bill are still up in the air.

In the meantime, mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill begins this week in the Senate Armed Services Committee and next week in the House Armed Services Committee. The House and Senate both hope to complete action on the bill before the Memorial Day recess.