$223-Billion Defense Authorization Bill Signed by President
President Reagan signed legislation Friday that authorizes $223 billion in defense spending but cuts back sharply on the White House request for “Star Wars” defense research and construction of MX missiles.
The bill authorizes $15.4 billion less than Reagan requested for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.
Reagan had sought authority to build 48 MX missiles, but Congress approved only 12 of the weapons. In addition, Congress capped the number of MX missiles that can be deployed at any one time in Minuteman missile silos at 50.
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