Senate panel steers clear of debate on tanker funding

The Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee approved Tuesday a $416.2 billion fiscal 2005 Defense spending bill that includes $25 billion in emergency contingency funding for costs associated with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, but is $1.7 billion less than the Bush administration requested.

Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, would not discuss his bill in detail before the full committee markup scheduled for later Tuesday. But he did say the bill does not include language concerning the administration's plan to acquire Boeing KC-767 tanker aircraft.

He said while he recognizes the need to replace the Air Force's fleet of aging KC135 tankers, the issue should be left to authorizers to resolve. And though House appropriators included language and $100 million in funding for the KC-767 acquisition program, Stevens said he would urge them to "just stay away from it" when the two sides meet in conference next month.

Stevens, who is also chairman of the subcommittee, said the bill provides funding to address key readiness programs, provides more money for the intelligence budget and fully funds military pay, benefits and medical programs. It also supports the initial deployment of the administration's national missile defense program and continues investment in theater missile defenses.

The bill would increase funding for military transformation, while making "deliberate adjustments to ensure that future costs, as well as development, testing and production are efficiently managed," Stevens said. The bill also supports numerous initiatives included in the Senate Armed Services Committee's fiscal 2005 defense authorization bill, such as increased Army end-strength and TRICARE for members of the National Guard and reserve.