Congress Sets Aside $20M for Iraq and Afghanistan Victory Celebration

The US Congress has allocated 20 million dollars within a defense spending bill to fund a potential victory celebration marking military success in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The legislation grants President George W. Bush authority to declare an official day of celebration and to call on Americans to mark the occasion with fitting events and ceremonies.

Lawmakers had initially hoped the celebration could take place in 2006, but the bill permits the funds to carry over into 2007 if conditions on the ground are not yet resolved.

Senate Democrats pushed back on the move, arguing the administration should concentrate on achieving victory rather than organizing festivities. A spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said the administration needs "to change course and get on the path to victory."

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.