Senate Approves $81 Billion for War Costs

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved $81 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in a spending bill that would push the total cost of combat and reconstruction past $300 billion.

Both the Senate and House versions of the measure would give President Bush much of the money he requested. But the bills differ in what portion should go to military operations.

Senate and House negotiators are expected to act quickly to send the president a final bill.

Other issues to be resolved in the competing versions include immigration changes, costs for a new U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and military death benefits.

Overall, the Senate version would cost $81.3 billion, compared with the $81.4 billion the House approved and the $81.9 billion Bush requested. Congress has passed four similar emergency spending measures for the wars since the Sept. 11 attacks.

The latest money is meant to last through Sept. 30, the end of the current budget year. Pentagon officials have said they will have to ask for more funds.

As Bush requested, the bulk of the money in both bills, about $75 billion, would go to the Pentagon. The House bill adds money to the president’s request for defense expenses while the Senate’s does not. The latter version restores some funds the House cut for foreign aid and State Department programs.

The Senate version boosts a one-time benefit for the families of soldiers killed to $100,000 from $12,000, regardless of whether the deaths occurred in combat, and increases life insurance as well. The House version limits the extra money to survivors of those killed during combat duty.