Bush signs supplemental spending bill

President Bush on Monday signed a supplemental spending bill that will fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan beyond the end of his presidency into next year.

{mosads}“I appreciate that Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed to provide these vital funds without tying the hands of our commanders and without an artificial timetable of withdrawal from Iraq,” Bush said.

The $162 billion measure also includes a new GI Bill, an expansion of unemployment benefits that Bush called “measured” and $2.7 billion for an emergency fund to help states hit by disasters.

“The bill is a result of close collaboration between my administration and members of both parties on Capitol Hill,” Bush said, adding that the measure “shows the American people that even in an election year, Republicans and Democrats can come together to stand behind our troops and their families.”