The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a 417 billion US dollar bill for defense programs for the 2005 fiscal year.

The defense appropriations bill, approved by a vote of 403-17, included 25 billion dollars of funds for US military and reconstruction operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The bill provides fund for a House plan to expand the US Army by 30,000 soldiers and the Marines by 9,000 over three years.

The Senate is expected to vote on its version of the defense bill on Wednesday, which also includes 25 billion dollars for Iraq and Afghanistan operations and funds an increase in the US Army of 20,000 soldiers.