MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- Congress showed tremendous support for the proposed Defense Appropriations Bill by putting dual party arguments aside and passing the measure 96-0 in the Senate and 410-12 in the House. After President Bush signs the bill, it will deliver $417.5 billion to the defense budget and may help out Miramar Marines in the next fiscal year.

The bill is the first of 13 for next year's budget that may enhance the effort to improve national security and re-stabilize Iraq. Lawmakers were intent on seeing this proposal passed before their six-week recess, which began July 23. The legislation will become effective with the president's approval.

"As our nation is engaged in a war against terrorism, it is imperative to give our military the resources needed to win that war.  The Defense Appropriations Bill provides those resources.  It includes funding for the brave men and women serving in Iraq.  The bill also extends a much-deserved pay raise for our military personnel.  I believe my colleagues and I put together a good bill and I was proud to support it," said Congresswoman Susan Davis, representative for the 53rd district of California.

Two of those resourses that may reach Miramar are body armor and the reinforced Humvee. The hard kit armor system for the Humvee would provide direct assault rifle protection, indirect overhead protection from artillery airbursts and underbody protection from grenades. The up-grade armor to the Humvee  can also be installed in the field and is available to equip both 2-and 4-door configurations.

"The plating will protect the Marines from shrapnel from grenades or mines. Before, they were more vulnerable to blasts. There have been (troops) who have been saved because of the improved protection. Anything to help protect our Marines is good," said Gunnery Sgt. Donny Archer, maintenance chief, Combat Service Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.

Also, the bill earmarks $78 billion for weapons spending to include money for Air Force unmanned aerial attack vehicles, which can conduct air strikes with unmanned drones, equipped with Hellfire missiles. Additionally, the legislation includes Army Stryker combat vehicles, which are high mobility wheeled assets, and the Navy's DD (X) destroyer, a surface combatant ship with 21st century technology.

In subsequent budget issues, the House Appropriations Committee designated a $92.9 billion dollar cut from NASA and environment and science programs, while it increased funding to veterans' health care to $30.3 billion.

"We hope the final budget matches the inflation rate, so we can continue to provide the current services we offer," said Gary Rossio, director San Diego's Veterans' Affairs health care system.

The measure also includes provisions of $10 billion for continued improvement on the national missile defense system and $100 million being funneled into a program assisting the Air Force modernization of its mid-air refueling tankers.

The bill also covers non-defense programs. It provides $500 million for fighting wildfires, $95 million to assist relief efforts aimed at victims of war in Sudan and $685 million in support of U.S. diplomatic efforts in Iraq.