Senate panel moves military appropriations bill to floor

Moving at flank speed, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $368.6 billion military spending bill Wednesday, after rejecting a bid to tell the Air Force how to deploy part of its airlift fleet.

The draft bill is expected to reach the Senate floor by midmonth, where it is likely to pass easily, then go to a conference with House appropriators, where a contentious ordeal awaits it.

Before the bill's approval by unanimous consent, Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, fought off an amendment by Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, that would have required the Air Force-after receiving an initial consignment of 40 new C-130J cargo planes-to deploy the next 16 factory-fresh planes to Air National Guard units. The air guard's C-130 wings now are equipped with older planes.

Noting that most air guard units have been "actively deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq," Craig said the National Guard deserves the same treatment as regular air wings in getting access to modern, technologically superior planes for training and deployments.

Stevens and some other lawmakers agreed in principle with Craig's proposal, but said the Armed Services Committee should take it up. They said it would disrupt the Air Force's complex "bedding down" system for deciding how to allocate its winged assets. The amendment was defeated, although Stevens agreed to include language in the committee's report on the bill expressing the committee's concern about "hand-me-down" airplanes and weapons to National Guard and Reserve forces.

The Senate bill largely tracks President Bush's request for arms spending in fiscal 2004. It provides nearly $99 billion for pay raises and other allowances and the addition of 264 National Guard specialists for 12 new civil support teams.

It provides $115.6 billion for operations and maintenance of the uniformed services, including $100 million for environmental cleanup at former defense facilities. It zeroes out $1.4 billion in "unnecessary funds" requested by the administration for special operations in Afghanistan and environs. And it rescinds $3.2 billion in Iraq supplemental funds that are not required in fiscal 2003 because of lower-than-expected war costs. The White House has objected to the rescission on the grounds that it might need the money to pay for emergency operations and reconstruction projects in Iraq.

The measure also provides $74 billion for new weapons purchases, including more money than the administration wanted for several items. For instance, it pays for seven additional UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters; adds $100 million to the $35 million sought for Stryker Brigade Combat teams armed with fast-moving mobile cannons; adds $25 million for beefed-up armored Humvee trucks; and provides an additional $62 million for a brigade of Bradley Fighting Vehicles for the National Guard. It also provides full funding for nine V-22 Osprey hovercraft for the Marines.