The bill started off as an $83 billion proposal from the White House.

Now it tips the scales at $106 billion. That's about a 22% increase by my math, which means lots of stuff got added on by negotiators.

As I was leafing through the final agreement hammered out last Thursday night - with at one point President Obama talking on his Chief of Staff's cell phone to key negotiators - I was a bit surprised to see one provision in a new Title VIII of the bill.

"There is established in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a voluntary program to be known as the "Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program."

Luckily, there was some explanation later in the conference report.

"The conference agreement includes a new title providing $1 billion for vouchers of $3,500 or
$4,500 to be applied toward the purchase or lease of a new fuel efficient automobile or truck
from July 1 - November 1, 2009. To qualify for a voucher under this authority the vehicle turned
in must be scrapped, and the purchased vehicle must achieve greater fuel efficiency than the
vehicle to be turned in."

Ah yes, it's the "Cash for Clunkers" legislation, which passed the House last week.

Evidently, Democratic leaders must have wanted to avoid any debate on this in the Senate, so they stuffed it in the war supplemental legislation.

Just a billion dollars for a four month program. Nothing to see here. Just move along please.

What else is in there? Well, you can take a look at the final product for yourself on the net at http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/Emergency_Supp_2009_Bill_Text.pdf

The bill starts off with $700 million in international food aid.

There is $60 million for the Department of Justice "Detention Trustee." What's that you ask?

"The Office of the Federal Detention Trustee (OFDT) is an organization that achieves efficiencies, effectiveness and operational synergies within the detention and incarceration community by fostering interagency cooperation, mutual understanding, accountability and teamwork," says the OFDT web page.

Now, since this bill is focused on Iraq and Afghanistan, I'm sure there isn't any domestic spending in it, is there?

Let's see, how about $43 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging and repairs due to natural disasters.

Or $754 million for the Corps to deal with flood control and natural disasters, of which $439 million would go to barrier island repair in the Mississippi River Delta. Almost sounds like an earmark to me, and sure enough, it is.

There is $21 million for "site maintenance activities" associated with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, $30 million for three difference national weapons laboratories and more.

There are two marine navigation projects from Maine that were added to a water resources law passed two years ago. Some might call that an earmark as well.

There is an extra $2.9 million for "salaries and expenses" in the President's National Security Council. $30 million for "Operation Stonegarden," which is described as an effort to "enhance law enforcement preparedness and operational readiness along the borders of the United States."

I'm only through page 54 out of 253 of the war supplemental conference report. So I'll see what else we can find in coming days.

Look at it yourself to see where your dollars are going.