Bush Urges Passage of Funding Request for Iraq, Afghanistan

President Bush is urging Congress to resolve its differences and pass his supplemental funding request for Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his weekly radio address Saturday, President Bush said the military must be given all the resources it needs to protect the United States and win the war against terrorism.

The Senate and House have approved an $81 billion spending bill for combat and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan, but differ on issues including immigration reforms and plans for a U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

In his radio address, Mr. Bush also lauded Iraq's security forces, saying more than 150,000 Iraqi security personnel have been trained and equipped, and for the first time they outnumber U.S. forces in Iraq.

He also called for Medicaid reform and cuts for unsuccessful federal programs. Democrats have said Mr. Bush's reforms, as outlined in his budget, would create debt, and hurt seniors and veterans.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.