Richardson Urges Defense Bill Be Signed

Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, saying his concerns about a new nuclear weapon agency and a departmental reorganization have been satisfied, said he will recommend that President Clinton sign a $288.9-billion defense bill. Congress overwhelmingly agreed last week to changes in the agency in response to months of allegations about Chinese espionage at nuclear weapon laboratories. In addition to the reorganization, the defense bill would raise military pay and offer a 4.4% across-the-board increase in Pentagon spending.