House Cuts Star Wars by $2 Billion

The Democratic-controlled House today cut President Bush’s request for Strategic Defense Initiative spending in next year’s defense budget by nearly $2 billion.

By a vote of 248 to 175, the House approved an amendment that cut $700 million from the program, known as Star Wars, in addition to the $1.1 billion the House Armed Services Committee had cut last month.

Bush had proposed spending $4.9 billion for the program in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 and made a plea on behalf of the program at a White House meeting Monday. The House recommended spending $3.1 billion.

At the White House, spokesman Marlin Fitzwater was asked if Bush would veto a bill that cuts money for Star Wars.

Veto Prospects

“We’re a long way from considering vetoes. . . . We’re talking now about winning, not about vetoes,” he said.

The action came in a series of roll call votes as the House worked its way through the annual defense blueprint. The Senate was debating its own version.

The House rejected one proposal for a deeper cut and a second amendment that would have restored all but $300 million to the Administration’s request.

Republican Rep. John G. Rowland of Connecticut attributed the Administration’s defeat on Star Wars to the emphasis it has put on lobbying for the B-2 bomber.

“They focused hard on this issue,” Rowland said, referring to the bomber. “They got creamed on SDI.”

After cutting Bush’s request, the House overwhelmingly approved using $150 million of the Star Wars money for such items as helicopters, artillery rockets and Army ammunition, and $300 million for cleanup of nuclear defense facilities.

Members also approved spending $450 million in fiscal 1990 and $600 million in fiscal 1991 for military drug interdiction.