Number: RS20161
Title: KOSOVO MILITARY OPERATIONS: COSTS AND CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON FUNDING
Authors: Stephen Daggett, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: On April 19, the White House sent Congress a request for emergency supplemental funding of $6.05 billion to cover costs of U.S. military operations against Yugoslavia, humanitarian assistance to Kosovo refugee, and some expenses of ongoing U.S. military operations in Iraq. Congress is expected to act quickly on the funding either as a freestanding bill or added to H.R. 1141, a bill providing supplemental appropriations for Central America and Caribbean disaster relief aid to Jordan, farm programs, and some other domestic programs. H.R. 1141 is currently under consideration by a House-Senate conference. While there appears to be widespread support in Congress for supplemental funding, several potentially contentious issues have arisen. Some defense advocates have argued that funding should be provided not only to cover the immediate costs of military operations against Yugoslavia, but also to address perceived shortfalls in military readiness worldwide. The Administration has requested that funds be designated as emergency appropriations, which will raise caps on discretionary spending by the amounts provided. Some legislators, however, may propose offsetting rescissions for some or all of the supplemental funds. If H.R. 1141 is the vehicle, outstanding issues on that bill will have to be resolved, including offsets to which the Administration has objected.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated June 3, 1999