The U.S. House of Representatives is tentatively scheduled to vote, this week, on a $124-Billion supplemental funding bill for war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan – a bill that would also set an August 31st, 2008, deadline to bring the troops home.

About $100-Billion would go for emergency military expenditures, but about $24-Billion would be used for pet projects often referred to as “pork” used to secure the votes of some Members of Congress who might be less inclined to support a clean bill dealing only with war funding.

Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO) says that while some of this non-war money might be justified – drought assistance for agriculture, for instance – much of it is not appropriate. Emerson points to pork projects designed to win the votes of those in districts that might receive money from this bill. Emerson says she would prefer a clean bill without the add-ons. She adds if this bill passes the House, it would face a very difficult challenge in the Senate, and would most likely be subjected to a presidential veto.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)