The Nation : House Votes to Hike Anti-Drug Spending

The House voted to pump an extra $822 million into federal efforts this year against illegal drugs, but decided not to increase anti-drug spending even more by taking money out of the “Star Wars” research budget. On a party-line 227-197 vote in which the chamber’s majority Democrats prevailed, the House finally passed a $3.7-billion domestic spending measure for fiscal 1989 that included $822 million for anti-drug efforts. The legislation was a pared-down version of a $4.7-billion bill the House refused to pass a month ago. But on a 213-205 vote, lawmakers rejected a measure that would have transferred to next year’s drug programs any 1990 spending for “Star Wars” missile defense research above this year’s $3.7 billion.