Bush signs budget with $250m fund for Pakistan

US President George W Bush has signed a 550 billion dollar catch-all budget bill for 2008 that includes USD 250 millions for the various funding projects in Pakistan.
The president signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2008 also known as the Omnibush Spending Bill shortly after boarding Air Force One on his way to Crawford Texas where he will spend time until January 1, 2008.
Originally the bill had earmarked USD 300 millions for Islamabad but lawmakers have withheld USD 50 millions until Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice send a report to Capitol Hill saying that Pakistan was restoring democratic rights.
"We continue to be disappointed with Congress's addiction to earmarks. And soon the president will outline his fiscal year 2009 budget proposal, which will hold the line on spending, keep taxes low and continue us on the path to a balanced budget," White House Deputy Press Secretary Scot Stanzel said at a briefing aboard Air Force One.