Congress is being asked to fund a $1.4-billion aid package to Mexico aimed at fighting international drug trafficking, the Dallas Morning News reported Feb. 8.

Officials from the Bush administration appeared before that House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Western Hemisphere subcommittee to call for funding the so-called Merida Initiative, which includes more direct aid to Mexico and Central America, some of it in the form of military equipment and training. "This is money well spent," said Thomas Shannon, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs.

However, the plan was met with opposition by lawmakers like Rep. Gabrielle Gifford (D-Ariz.), who said that the government should be dealing with the economic situation at home instead of sending taxpayers' money abroad. "Unless we have our house in order, putting millions into Central America and Mexico is not the solution," she said.

"This is the ideal situation to take a step back and ask the key questions about our war on drugs, what works and what doesn't," added Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America. "And unfortunately, we don't have all the answers yet."

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) appeared to endorse the aid package, saying that helping Mexico fight drugs "in our own interest ... because there is no magical line that will stop the spillover on our side."