WASHINGTON — House Republicans signed off Thursday on an additional $700 million to pay for the military mission to help fight Africa’s deadly Ebola outbreak. The move by Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon and Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers comes on top of the $50 million released last month. The funding would "reprogram" money stamped for fighting in Afghanistan and will be used to provide logistical help for health care workers in West Africa.
President Obama originally requested $1 billion to send up to 4,000 troops to Africa. In briefings this week, McKeon said Pentagon officials estimate $750 million would cover a six-month mission. The top Republican and Democrat on the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations panels must OK the funneling of the Pentagon funds. Democrats and Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee, have already agreed. Sen. James Inhofe, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services panel, has yet to OK the release of the funds.
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