10.07.2003 07:45
HOUSE APPROVES DEFENSE SPENDING BILL

The House on Tuesday approved a $368.7 billion defense spending bill that lawmakers said would support the Pentagon's goal of developing a more mobile, high-tech fighting force while preserving older weapons systems that proved their value in the Iraq war.

The bill for the year beginning Oct. 1 represents an increase of about 1.3 percent over the amount approved for this fiscal year -- not taking into account a $62.4 billion midyear spending bill that paid for the war in Iraq. The 2004 bill doesn't include the costs of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, which probably will be financed by another spending bill.

The bill was approved 399-19.

Those priorities include Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's desire to transform the military into a sophisticated, lighter force able to mobilize quickly in response to crises around the world.

But the House Appropriations Committee, in a report accompanying the bill, warned against cutting existing programs too severely to pay for new ones.

"Accelerating transformation by reducing current force structure to pay for future systems may undermine the readiness and capabilities of the forces we rely on today," it said.

The House bill denies some money for new programs in favor of older ones.

It includes $458 million not sought by the Bush administration for 144 upgraded Bradley fighting vehicles, 43 Abrams tanks and other equipment to modernize the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment.

The House included $11.5 billion for building ships, a $2.4 billion increase, including one Virginia-class submarine, the Navy's most advanced attack submarine.

It rejected an administration request for authorization to buy seven submarines through 2008.