WASHINGTON, April 4: The US Congress late on Thursday approved President Bush’s war budget, granting nearly $80 billion for the conflict in Iraq in an overwhelming show of support. The House of representatives passed the measure 414-12; the Senate 93-0.

Congress also approved measures to finance anti-terrorism efforts around the world, and help the beleaguered airline industry.

Working close to midnight, both chambers declared that political differences should not be allowed to weaken America’s defences.

The House also passed by a voice vote a proposal to block Germany, France, Russia and Syria from post-war reconstruction contracts, but US subsidiaries of companies from those countries could still compete for contracts. In the Senate, however, the Bush administration pressured Sen John Ensign, R-Nev., to withdraw an amendment that would have barred any of the plan’s nearly $2.5 billion for rebuilding Iraq from going to French and German companies because they opposed the war.

“If America is going to become an arrogant nation and do things only our way, this is a good way to begin,” said Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, who opposed the amendment.

Mr Bush last week presented his $74.7 billion request to Congress, urging lawmakers to approve his package by April 11. Thursday’s vote was an uncommonly swift one.

Lawmakers, however, curbed Mr Bush’s request that the administration have total control over the funds for the war. The House gave Mr Bush flexibility over $25.4 billion of the defence money, but asked the Pentagon to notify Congress seven days before any money was spent. The Senate cut that figure to $11 billion.

Mr Bush had wanted $59.9 billion of the $62.6 billion in his bill for the Pentagon placed in a large discretionary fund, which would have given Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld latitude in the war in Iraq and on terrorism.

The two parties were split on domestic security. Both bills contained more than $4 billion for securing potential terrorist targets at home and also approved $4 billion for local police and emergency agencies and other domestic security initiatives. Democrats called both amounts insufficient.

Besides domestic security funds, both bills contained more than $62 billion for the Pentagon and roughly $8 billion for aid to countries supporting US efforts overseas. Included was money for replacing satellite-guided munitions, setting up a tribunal to try Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for alleged war crimes, and letting state and local agencies bolster security at home.

The international aid funds would go toward rebuilding Iraq and for US allies in the war on terror — Turkey, Pakistan, Israel, Jordan, Afghanistan and other countries.

The issue of funds for Turkey was a contentious one. Some conservatives wanted to kill $1 billion in aid for Turkey because of its resistance to letting the United States use its bases for the war on Iraq. But the White House fought hard to prevent that from happening.

“Despite recent difficulties, the president is devoted to maintaining the strategic partnership” with Turkey, said National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. In a letter to Congress, Richard Armitage, Deputy Secretary of State, said it would be “particularly damaging to our diplomacy” to strip the funds Mr Bush requested for Turkey. The House voted 315-110 to reject the bid to kill aid for Ankara. All the money would come from growing federal deficits, which could approach $400 billion this year and in 2004.