HUGE U.S. ARMS BUDGET PASSED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 15

HUGE U.S. ARMS BUDGET PASSED

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) WASHINGTON, August 19. The United States Senate yesterday approved a gigantic 58,200 million dollars defence bill with a warning that 10,000 million dollars more might be needed in January if the Vietnam war build-up continued.

Tacked on to the bill was an unrequested amendment giving President Johnson authority to summon for active duty reservists who have served no active duty other than their required training. The measure—the second highest appropriations bill in Congressional history—was passed by 86 votes to none after the Senate rejected lastditch amendments to whittle it down. The legislation containing funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1967. now goes to a House-Senate conference. About 10.000 million dollars of the funds were included for items identified with the Vietnam fighting. Senator R. Russell (Democrat, Georgia), floor manager for the bill, said before passage that more Vietnam funds—lo,ooo million dollars and perhaps more—will have to be requested early next year if the war continues to grow.

The Senate bill included a number of controversial items not requested by the administration. Among these were funds for a start towards deployment of the Nike X anti-mis-sile system; a new nuclearpowered missile-armed frigate: and advanced purchases for a second such nuclear escort vessel. Senate approval came after four amendments —one of them as proposed $522.5 million cut in procurement and research funds —were rejected. As it emerged from the Senate, the bill was 525.5 million dollars more than recommended by President Johnson and the Defence Department. It was about 426.5 million dollars less than voted by the House of Representatives. The largest defence money bill in history was passed by

Congress In 1944 when funds were voted for the Army and Air Corps at the height of the Second World War. A point of controversy to be worked out with the House was an amendment approved by the Senate on Wednesday that would bar the transfer of any funds to purchase FIIIB fighter planes—the Navy’s versions of the long-disputed TFX fighter-bomber. The bill provided finance for an Army of 1,200,000 regulars spearheaded by 17 combat divisions, some 728.000 sailors and about 278,000 Marines manning 939 commissioned ships, and an Air Force of 74 combat planes and missile wings and supporting units, manned by more than 853.000 regular airmen. About 3000 million dollars was earmarked for Defence Department intelligence and supply agencies.