FACTBOX-Key items in U.S. House's defense policy bill

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Thu Oct 8, 2009 3:53pm EDT

Oct 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved compromise legislation on Thursday that sets the Pentagon's budget, including some items that could draw a White House veto.

The bill passed by a vote of 281-146 despite the opposition of many Republicans, who said it should have not included hate-crime protection for gays and lesbians.

The bill must also pass the Senate before President Barack Obama signs it into law or rejects it.

Separate legislation would actually fund Pentagon operations.

Following are some aspects of the House bill:

WEAPONS PROGRAMS

* Authorizes the purchase of 30 F-35 jet fighters, along with $560 million for an alternate engine the Obama administration opposes.

* Cancels the troubled VH-71 presidential helicopter program and the F-22 fighter, as requested by the administration.

* Reduces the Pentagon's reliance on outside contractors by converting 11,000 contractor positions to civilian Pentagon jobs, and expands the size of its acquisition workforce by 9,000 positions.

* Prohibits the retirement of fighter planes until the Air Force explains how it will operate without them.

* Authorizes $6.7 billion to buy mine-resistant vehicles, $1.2 billion above the Pentagon's request.

* Authorizes $440 million for the KC-X aerial refueling tanker program.

IRAN

* Recommends that the administration consider applying additional sanctions on Iran if it does not curb its nuclear program.

HATE CRIMES

* The bill extends hate-crime legislation to cover gays and lesbians, over the objection of Republicans who said it should have been handled separately. Republican House Leader John Boehner said it was "radical social policy ... that is being put on the backs of our soldiers."

DETAINEES

* Prohibits the release of foreign terrorism suspects held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, until 45 days after the administration certifies they will not pose a security threat.

* Prohibits contractors from interrogating detainees, requires interrogations to be videotaped, and allows the Red Cross access to the Bagram military prison in Afghanistan.

MISCELLANEOUS

* Authorizes $9.3 billion for missile defense.

* Authorizes an increase in the size of the military by 30,000 Army troops, 8,100 Marines, 14,650 Air Force personnel and 2,477 Navy sailors. Also authorizes an additional 30,000 Army troops over the next two fiscal years. It also provides a pay raise of 3.4 percent.

* Requires ships carrying Pentagon equipment in pirate-infested waters to carry nonlethal defense measures. Details of the bill were posted here (Reporting by Andy Sullivan and Susan Cornwell in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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