RPT-FACTBOX-US defense bill extends hate crimes to cover gays

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Oct 22 (Reuters) - Legislation that would extend hate-crimes protection to gays and lesbians cleared the U.S. Congress on Thursday as part of a compromise bill that sets the Pentagon's budget.

The bill now heads to the White House, where President Obama will sign it into law or reject it because it approves weapons systems that the Pentagon does not want.

It passed the Senate by a vote of 68 to 29. The House approved it on Oct. 8.

Following are some aspects of the legislation:

HATE CRIMES

* The bill extends hate-crime protections to cover gays and lesbians, over the objection of Republicans who said it should have been handled separately. Democrats have tried but failed for years to make it a federal crime to attack someone because of their sexual orientation. Such laws are already in place for crimes motivated by racial, ethnic or religious prejudice.

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 work force 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 to Iran if it does not curb its nuclear program.