In a letter released by the White House, the Obama administration requested $5.8 billion for Pentagon for military operations in Afghanistan and fight against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. Besides, another $5.8 billion is asked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) spending for the fiscal year of 2017.
The request was sent during the lame-duck session before the new Congress starts in January.
"For the Department of Defense, this plan reflects the evolving nature of our military campaign against ISIL and our efforts in Afghanistan," US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said. The official also added that additional funding would enable the State Department and USAID to counter extremism.
