Topeka ? We’re there and we have to pay the bill.

That’s how 1st District Rep. Jerry Moran feels about President Bush’s request for $87 billion to cover costs associated with the Iraqi war and the reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Moran supports the proposal, though he acknowledged Monday during a brief interview, “I don’t know that it’s the last request that will be made.”

“I think there can be disagreement as to whether or not we should have gone to war in Iraq, but I think once that we’re there, there’s little choice but to support the effort with whatever is necessary financially, including the $87 billion,” Moran said.

Democrats have been critical of Bush’s request and have suggested that Bush’s administration has mishandled the reconstruction of Iraq. But Moran, a Republican, chalks up much of the criticism to the Democrats seeking their party’s nomination to oppose Bush in next year’s election.

Moran added that the debate over whether the United States should have gone to war with Iraq should be left until after the coalition has had some success in rebuilding that nation.

“This is not the time for us to spend a huge amount of effort in questioning how we got where we are,” he said. “I think that can come later. The reality is we are there. Soldiers are dying almost every day.”