    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 16, 2003]
    [Page 1334]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1334]]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Transmitting
    Fiscal Year 2004 Budget Amendments
    October 16, 2003

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed FY 2004 budget
    amendments for the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to
    reimburse emergency expenses to suppress forest fires in FY 2003.
        These amendments would adjust upward the total discretionary budget
    authority requested by $0.4 billion, bringing the total discretionary
    funding agreed to by my Administration and the Congress to $786.0
    billion. While this request increases total discretionary spending
    beyond the previously agreed upon level, my Administration and
    congressional leadership determined earlier this year that emergency
    funding could be added when mutually agreed upon in advance. This
    request is consistent with that agreement.
        The requests in this transmittal are for the purpose of fulfilling
    known and urgent requirements that cannot reasonably be met through the
    use of existing agency funds. I hereby designate the specific proposals
    in the amounts requested herein as emergency requirements.
        The details of these requests are set forth in the enclosed letter
    from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    October 17.