Senate votes to let Army study Crusader alternatives

The Senate overwhelmingly rebuffed Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's decision to kill the Army's $11-billion Crusader artillery system, voting 96-3 Wednesday to allow the Army to finish a detailed study of possible alternatives.

Although the Crusader system was strongly defended by some senators --particularly those from Oklahoma and Minnesota, where major components are made --most of the argument on the floor focused on the process.

The administration had requested $475.6 million for the United Defense-produced system for its fiscal 2003 defense authorization. But just as House and Senate panels were marking up their bills, Rumsfeld said he was terminating the program.

Because of the timing of Rumsfeld's action, the Senate committee kept the Crusader funds in the bill on floor this week. But Senate Armed Services Chairman Levin offered an amendment that would redirect the $475.6 million to other Army indirect fire support programs after the Army completed its study of alternatives.

But the Senate accepted by voice vote an amendment by Armed Services ranking member John Warner, R-Va., that would allow Rumsfeld to reallocate the Crusader funds after notification. Warner said that amendment would remove a Bush administration veto threat.

Meanwhile, the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee --meeting in closed session Wednesday --also was working on a related compromise, approving language under which the Army would begin planning a lighter, less expensive artillery system.