The Nation : New Defense Budget Advances in Senate

The Senate, trying to write a defense budget President Reagan will accept, voted tentative approval of a Pentagon spending plan that gives Reagan much of what he wanted for his “Star Wars” anti-missile plan. The decision came as the Democratic-controlled chamber worked toward approval of a Pentagon budget bill before it adjourns later this week for a recess that will last until after Labor Day. The vote was the last major decision of the evening on the bill. Final passage is likely sometime late today, Senate leaders said. Reagan last week vetoed the first attempt by the Democratic-run Congress to write a defense budget bill, citing deep cuts in his proposal for “Star Wars” along with arms control policy restrictions he opposes. The authorization measure is the first step of the two-track congressional budget process that also includes a later appropriation bill to pay for the programs.