By DONNA CASSATA
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate
panel has approved a $604 billion defense spending bill that reverses
proposed Pentagon cuts in Air Force personnel and equipment.
The Appropriations defense
subcommittee approved the bill by voice vote Tuesday. The measure would
provide $511 billion for the base budget and $93.3 billion for the war
in Afghanistan in the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.
The bill is nearly $29 billion less than current spending.
The legislation provides $800 million to halt the Air Force's planned cuts.
In its budget proposal, the
Pentagon called for a cut of 5,100 from the Air National Guard, 3,900
from active duty and 900 reservists as well as 134 aircraft. That
proposal met stiff resistance from the nation's governors and members of
Congress.
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2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
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