Obama to seek $75.5 billion for wars

WASHINGTON, April 9 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama plans to ask Congress for $75.5 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, officials said.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Obama will likely face opposition from some fellow Democrats who are opposed to the wars.

"I can't imagine any way I'd vote for it," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., leader in the 77-member congressional Progressive Caucus.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said he fears the war in Afghanistan could become a quagmire.

"I just have this sinking feeling that we're getting deeper and deeper into a war that has no end," he was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

The Journal said Democratic opposition isn't likely to block the bills, since many Republicans will support them.

"Everyone wants to make sure our troops in the field have the resources they need," said Michael Steele, a spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio. "If the Democratic leadership in the House puts together a package that does just that, they can expect Republican support."

The supplemental-spending request is intended to provide funding for the wars through the balance of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, and into the early weeks of fiscal 2010.

The newspaper noted that beginning in fiscal year 2010, Obama intends for the wars to be funded as part of the regular Pentagon budget.