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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, October 11, 2002

US House Approves 355-billion-dollar Defense Bill

The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a compromise 355.4 billion dollars defense bill on Thursday as the country mulls over a war with Iraq.


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The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a compromise 355.4 billion dollars defense bill on Thursday as the country mulls over a war with Iraq.

The defense bill for fiscal 2003 that started on Oct. 1 represents a 34 billion dollars, or 11 percent, increase over last year.

The massive defense spending package, one-sixth of the entire federal budget, grants President George W. Bush most of the Pentagon buildup he requested following last year's terrorist attacks.

Bush had asked for 367 billion dollars, but his proposal for a 10 billion dollars fund he could use without congressional approval for combating terrorists overseas met bipartisan opposition in Congress.

Under the bill which was approved 409-14, the US military will boost spending in almost every field, from weapons procurement and research to the costs of training troops.

The bill grants money for a 4.1 percent pay raise for military personnel, for two more AEGIS destroyers and a new attack submarine, and nearly all of the 7.4 billion dollars Bush requested to keep developing a national missile defense system.

The Senate is expected to pass the bill soon after House and Senate negotiators agreed late Wednesday on the military spending plan.


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