Military

DATE=6-24-04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS - DEFENSE (L-O)

NUMBER=2-316996

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: Senate passes defense spending bill

INTRO: The U-S Senate Thursday night unanimously passed (98-zero) a sweeping 416 billion dollar defense spending bill, a day after it approved a measure authorizing defense programs for next year. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.

TEXT: With unusual speed, the Senate passed the defense spending bill, the largest in U.S. history, after only one day of debate.

The measure funds military operations for the next budget year beginning October first. It increases defense spending by six percent over the current year, but is one-point-six percent less than what President Bush had sought.

The chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Republican Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska is the bill's chief sponsor:

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"We believe it addresses the key requirements for readiness, quality of life and transmission of our total force. It honors the commitment we have to our armed forces, it ensures they will continue to have first rate training, modernized equipment and infrastructure, and maintain their quality of life."

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Mr. Stevens says the unanimous vote for the legislation shows that lawmakers are willing to come together in times of crisis.

The bill includes 25 billion dollars for the military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, the first installment of money for those operations for next year. U.S. officials are expected to seek more money for Iraq and Afghanistan after the President election in November.

The measure funds an increase of 20-thousand troops for the Army. The House version of the bill calls for increasing troop strength to 30-thousand.

The legislation includes 10 billion dollars for the continued development of an anti-ballistic missile system.

It funds a pay raise for military personnel.

/// OPT /// The bill also contains 95 million dollars in relief aid to respond to the crisis in the western Darfur region of Sudan.

/// OPT /// In addition, the measure includes 50 million dollars to tighten security at the Republican and Democratic national conventions in New York and Boston, respectively, doubling the amount of money already approved. /// END OPT ///

House and Senate negotiators will have to resolve differences in their chambers' versions of the legislation before a final bill is sent to President Bush for his signature. (Signed)

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