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At Democrats' Meeting, Bush Appeals for Cooperation

WILLIAMSBURG, Feb. 3 -- President Bush, forced by circumstance to reach out to some of his strongest adversaries, appealed directly to House Democrats on Saturday to work with him to reform the immigration system, limit the cost of Social Security, curb the consumption of gasoline and balance the...

Bush Budget Proposes $624.6B for Defense

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's 2008 budget request includes $624.6 billion in defense spending and marks the first time he has offered an estimate of how much the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will cost a year in advance.

Bush's Defense Budget Biggest Since Reagan Era

President Bush's defense budget request of $481.4 billion -- an 11 percent boost over last year -- pushes US defense spending to levels not seen since the Reagan-era buildup of the 1980s.

Back on Capitol Hill, Bremer Is Facing a Cooler Reception

The last time L. Paul Bremer testified before Congress, he was lauded as an American hero. Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.) congratulated Bremer, who was leading the US occupation authority in Iraq, for a "tremendous success." Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.) commended his "energy and focus." Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.) praised his "brilliant analysis."...

U.S. to Pay $5.8B to Expand Iraqi Forces

WASHINGTON -- The US government will pay $5.8 billion to help Iraq expand further its army and police force, which are deemed too small for its security needs, senior Pentagon officials said Tuesday.

Problems Stall Pentagon's New Fighting Vehicle

After 10 years and $1.7 billion, this is what the Marines Corps got for its investment in a new amphibious vehicle: A craft that breaks down about an average of once every 4 1/2 hours, leaks and sometimes veers off course.

Iraq Rebuilding Short on Qualified Civilians

In Diyala, the vast province northeast of Baghdad where Sunnis and Shiites are battling for primacy with mortars and nighttime abductions, the US government has contracted the job of promoting democracy to a Pakistani citizen who has never lived or worked in a democracy.

Some Lawmakers Want to Fund Civilian Projects Through War Bill

As House Democrats wrangle over details of a $100 billion war spending bill -- including whether restrictions should be placed on troops sent to Iraq -- some members want to add significant money for agricultural relief, Hurricane Katrina reconstruction and other nonmilitary projects.

House to Consider New Rules for No-Bid Contracts

The House is scheduled to take up legislation this week aimed at putting new curbs on no-bid contracts and cost overruns, the first of several congressional initiatives seeking to place new limits on government contractors.

Is Iraq War the Cheapest or Costliest?

NEW YORK -- After four years, America's cost for the war in Iraq has reached nearly $500 billion _ more than the total for the Korean War and nearly as much as 12 years in Vietnam, adjusting for inflation. The ultimate cost could reach $1 trillion or more.