Thread: U.S. Congress trims Bush anti-drug plan for Mexico

U.S. Congress trims Bush anti-drug plan for Mexico

By David Morgan
REUTERS

4:07 p.m. May 15, 2008

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Thursday voted to scale back President Bush's plan to aid Mexico in its increasingly deadly war on illegal drug cartels.

The so-called Merida initiative – which Bush proposed last October as a three-year $1.4 billion package providing aircraft, equipment and training – initially was to offer Mexico $500 million in this fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.

But lawmakers reduced this year's segment to $400 million in a 256-166 vote on legislation that also expanded benefits for U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and lengthened unemployment benefits for U.S. workers.
The Democratic-controlled chamber sought to restrict support for the Mexican military, while increasing resources for social institutions including the country's judiciary.

But analysts said the cutback was less than expected and described the vote as an important U.S. gesture toward Mexico.

More than 1,100 people have been killed in Mexico this year as drug gangs fight each other and security forces.

Across Capitol Hill, the Senate Appropriations Committee set Mexico's funding level at $350 million. Full Senate debate of the measure could come next week.

The House increased a part of the Merida initiative to fight drug trafficking in Central America, to $61.5 million from the $50 million the White House sought. Lawmakers also added the Caribbean nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to share the funds.

The Senate panel set aside $100 million for Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Bush administration had urged Congress to avoid large cutbacks that could embarrass the government of Mexican President Felipe Calderón as Washington is pressing for closer security ties between the two countries.

The Merida initiative would not give Mexico money outright, but would provide equipment such as helicopters, planes and inspection scanners as well as training for police, prosecutors and judges.

Calderón, a conservative who has sent 25,000 troops and federal police to fight drug cartels across Mexico since late 2006, pledged last week to take back Mexican streets from drug peddlers and gunmen.

Much of his effort has been focused on fighting drug gangs along the U.S.-Mexico border, especially near Texas.

“Though the amount is reduced, the vote conveys to the Calderón government and the Mexican people that both the U.S. administration and Congress are interested in supporting institutions and strengthening law enforcement,â€

Embarass Mexican President Felipe Calderón!!!!!!

He should be ashamed of his country! He should be offering us money to train them to deal with the home grown terrorist.

Why are we giving them any money to Mexico??????? Free up funds to do something Globalistic like a deep water port for China or roads to the US?

The 11th wealthiest nation in the world and they are getting a hand out from us??????? What does Mexico give us besides illegal aliens and all the ills that come with them?

This is just a waste of our tax dollars!!!!!!

Dixie

Embarrass Mexico!!! Bush should be so embarrassd of his terms that he should crawl under a rock at the ranch and not come out till November.

He's working on his LEGACY!!! Well that will take a minute, now what. If he builds a Bush Library, I will puke.

What a disgrace he has been, and still is too our country. Never has a President been so incapable of his job, and now no one is running to fix all he broke. Can't we fire him early, before he does more damage? His daily stupidity can add about 180 more idiotic, dangerous, issues for this country to deal with now and later.

Hopefully after Karl Rove is jailed , Bush, the WAR CRIMINAL, will get his too.

Come to Kennebunk and see daddy, we got some handcuffs for ya!

There I feel better, sort of like an enema does!

The Bush administration had urged Congress to avoid large cutbacks that could embarrass the government of Mexican President Felipe Calderón as Washington is pressing for closer security ties between the two countries.

Embarass Calderon?!?!?! Who gives a flying MOD EDIT Cut it ALL back, no more money for Calderon! What did he do with the billions we sent in previous years to stop the cartels?

Still to much money congress . Illegals are breaking state budgets and closing hospitals plus even sueing them !!! Enough of you Moonbats . Get it right, No money for corrupt Mexicans . This is America by God act like it