[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 42 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Page 1409]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Transmitting 
Requests for 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.