Editorial Note
On August 1, 1950, President Truman addressed a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives requesting that Congress approve a supplemental appropriation of $4 billion for military assistance. Stating that “the Communist assault on the Republic of Korea has challenged the authority of the United Nations and jeopardized world peace,” the President asked $3,504,000,000 for the North Atlantic area; $193 million for Greece, Turkey and Iran; and $303 million for southern and eastern Asia. He emphasized the importance of swift Congressional action. For the text of the President’s statement, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1950, pages 564–566, or Department of State Bulletin, August 14, 1950, pages 247–248.
Hearings on President Truman’s request occurred on August 2 and 3 before a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. Secretaries Acheson and Johnson, and Ohly and General Lemnitzer and others presented testimony. (The Supplemental Appropriation Bill for 1951: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations of the United States House of Representatives (81st Cong. 2nd sess.)). The President’s request was also considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee (see The Supplemental Appropriation Bill for 1951: Hearings Before the Committee on Appropriations of the United States Senate (81st Cong., 2nd sess.)). Secretary Acheson’s statement to the Committee, August 30, also appears in Department of State Bulletin, September 11, 1950, pages 437–438.
On September 22, following approval by the House, the Senate passed and sent to the White House H.R. 9526, the Supplemental Appropriation Act for FY 1951, which allocated $4 billion to foreign [Page 353] military assistance. The breakdown of funds among areas of the world corresponded with the President’s request of August 1. President Truman signed the measure into law on September 27 (PL 81–843; 64 Stat.1044).