President George W. Bush may seek an additional $40 billion or more for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan next year, congressional sources and budget analysts said today.
This would be on top of the $400 billion military budget he will send to Congress next month.
But Mr Bush is unlikely to send the request to Congress until after the November presidential election to minimize any political damage, the sources said.
His Democratic challengers have criticized the high cost of the war in Iraq and its chaotic aftermath. They say Iraq has cost $120 billion so far despite initial administration assurances that it would be "an affordable endeavor."
White House budget officials said it is premature to speculate about an emergency war supplemental for the 2005 fiscal year, starting October 1st.
But congressional sources said preliminary planning is underway and a request would be send to Congress in late 2004 or early 2005.