In brief U.S. to extend Afghan buildup

The Pentagon plans to extend its buildup of several thousand combat troops in Afghanistan, initially announced as lasting until late spring, well into next year, a senior U.S. military official said Friday.

The move comes as U.S. and allied commanders anticipate a renewed offensive this spring by the Taliban and as they seek additional reinforcements from NATO countries.

The extension of the U.S. buildup means American troop levels in Afghanistan, which increased this month to about 26,000 – the highest of the war – will remain roughly the same until at least spring 2008.

The decision, expected to be announced in Washington as early as next week, entails sending an Army combat brigade to replace the 3rd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division when it leaves this spring.

Washington

House to consider business tax cuts

House tax writers will consider small business tax cuts worth $1.3 billion over 10 years in hopes of freeing minimum wage legislation currently stuck in an impasse between the House and Senate.

The tax package is about one-sixth the size of what the Senate passed last week, but it sets the stage for negotiations that could result in the first increase in the minimum wage in a decade. The legislation would raise the wage floor by $2.10 over two years to $7.25 an hour.

“Now at least we’ve got a ball game,” said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

The House proposal has the bipartisan backing of Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., and the panel’s ranking Republican, Rep. Jim McCrery of Louisiana. The committee is expected to consider the proposal Monday. The legislation would then go to the House floor later in the week.