The Pentagon on Tuesday approved nearly $2 million to continue funding U.S. troops still in Iraq.
Funds for the few hundred U.S. troops and other personnel training Iraqi security forces ran out Sept. 30, after Congress’ continuing resolution to fund the government through March failed to reauthorize the mission in Iraq.
The $1.7 million for the mission, which will be taken from the Pentagon’s budget, will cover the next 90 days until a more permanent solution can be found, Pentagon press secretary George Little told reporters Tuesday.
“This is a temporary bridge while we seek a longer-term way ahead for [the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq] in the fiscal year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which we expect to be taken up by Congress later this year,” Mr. Little said.
“But the important thing is we have found the funding, and this is an important initiative. We want to work closely with our Iraqi partners, and that’s why we have found this bridge.”
The Pentagon withdrew its combat troops from Iraq in December.
• Kristina Wong can be reached at kwong@washingtontimes.com.
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