House Passes $291-Billion Military Bill Lacking Funds for More B-2s
The House on Monday approved, 329 to 82, a $291-billion military spending bill for 1992 that would speed up troop cuts and reject President Bush’s request for four new B-2 Stealth bombers.
One of the most controversial provisions allots $4.15 billion to the Strategic Defense Initiative program for a limited defense against ballistic missiles.
That amount represents about a 29% jump in SDI spending from 1991 levels.
The decision to prohibit production of more B-2 bombers was a defeat for Bush, but left open the possibility that Congress could revive the program next year.
The Senate is expected later this week to approve the measure, which would limit spending on nuclear weapons programs, and Bush is expected to sign it.
Congress is also expected later this week to approve a bill allocating the funds for the programs authorized by the measure.
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