Bush to Request $70B More for War Funding ---- New Orleans Needs to Change Their Name to Iraq

WASHINGTON - The White House has told Congress to expect requests for about $70 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the ongoing budget year and $18 billion more for hurricane relief, Senate GOP aides say.

The details of the requests are not finalized but President Bush's budget for 2007, to be submitted next week, will reflect the totals for planning purposes, said the aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the White House has not yet announced the requests. Another $2.3 billion to combat avian flu is also expected.

The funding for Iraq is in addition to $50 billion approved in December and should be enough to conduct the war through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Bush is also expected to set aside $50 billion in the 2007 budget for the war effort, though such funds won't be enough for the entire year.