Panel OKs $275-Billion Defense Budget
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WASHINGTON — The Senate Armed Services Committee approved a $275-billion military budget Friday, a post-Cold War package that assists people and communities hit hard by defense cutbacks.
The spending plan also leaves largely unscathed President Bush’s request for weapons designed to counter the former Soviet Union, including the B-2 Stealth bomber and the Strategic Defense Initiative anti-missile program.
The budget is $6 billion less than the President sought for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 but $5 billion more than the version adopted by the House last month. The full Senate will consider the committee budget in early August.
Committee members authorized $1.2 billion for communities and businesses that are struggling to help former military personnel and defense workers survive as defense dollars disappear.
The legislation allows some active-duty personnel to take a year of leave to gain training in a specific skill.
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