House approves $460B Pentagon budget

[babylonsister]

House approves $460B Pentagon budget

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer 28 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The House approved modest changes to President Bush's record Pentagon budget proposal early Sunday, but Democrats signaled plans to resume a more contentious debate over the Iraq war after the August recess.

The House's $459.6 billion version of the defense budget, approved on a 395-13 vote, would add money for equipment for the National Guard and Reserve, provide for 12,000 additional soldiers and Marines, and increase spending for defense health care and military housing.

The adjourned until after Labor Day minutes after the vote a little over an hour past midnight.

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

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 in September. 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 point man on military matters for Democrats, told reporters this past week that he backs only short-term extensions of war spending.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070805/ap_on_go_co/defense_spending

[stillcool]

1. $459 BILLION...

does not include funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? Holy shit.