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House nears approval of Pentagon budget Send a link to a friend

[August 06, 2007]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House was poised Saturday to pass modest changes to President Bush's record Pentagon budget plan, but majority Democrats were likely to hold their fire on Iraq policy until Congress returns in September.

The House's $459.6 billion version of the defense budget would add money for equipment for National Guard and Reserve, provide for 12,000 additional soldiers and Marines and award increases for defense health care and military housing.

The White House criticized Democrats for cutting Bush's request for readiness and personnel accounts and effectively transfer $3.5 billion of the money to domestic spending programs. It is likely that the cuts will be restored this fall when Congress passes another wartime supplemental spending bill that probably would exceed Bush's $147 billion request.

But the administration has not threatened to veto the measure.

The measure does not include Bush's 2008 funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Democrats say they want to consider that money in separate legislation this September, after their August vacation. This approach would set the stage for a major clash over the war; Democrats are likely to try to impose conditions on the money.

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., a top point man on military matters for Democrats, told reporters this past week that he backs only short-term extensions of war spending.

The massive defense measure represents a nearly $40 billion increase over current levels. The Pentagon would get another several billion-dollar budget increase through a companion measure covering military base construction and a recent round of base closures.

The defense legislation largely endorses Bush's plans for major weapons systems such as the next generation Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, which has been beset by cost overruns.

The Democratic defense budget would provide $8.5 billion for missile defense, about 4 percent less than requested by Bush but $1 billion more than current spending.

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The Army's Future Combat System, a next generation computerized system designed to transform the service's war fighting abilities, would absorb an 11 percent cut from Bush's request. It, too, has been plagued by cost overruns.

Those huge procurement costs are driving the Pentagon budget ever upward. Once war costs are added in, the total defense budget will be significantly higher than during the typical Cold War year, even after adjusting for inflation.

The measure would eliminate the $468 million requested to procure the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, whose per-unit cost has more than doubled. The helicopter recently crashed during test flights.

The bill would provide $2.2 billion to cover a 3.5 percent pay raise for service members. The administration objects and says its recommended 3 percent pay increase is sufficient.

The bill would boost substantially the money spent to oversee military contractors, including $24 million for the inspector general.

The measure would provides money to build five ships -- with a total cost of $3.7 billion -- in addition to the seven requested by the Pentagon.

The bill worked its way toward passage on Saturday with no significant changes. Democrats had considered using the measure as a platform to attack Bush's Iraq policies.

Murtha had prepared amendments to close the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and require troops be fully trained and equipped before going to fight in Iraq. But facing the prospect of losing votes and an inflaming partisan tensions, he was unlikely to offer them.

The bill contains a provisions barring the establishment of permanent bases in Iraq.

[Associated Press; by Andrew Taylor]

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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