House Panel Unveils $578.6 Billion for Defense Spending

A House panel has unveiled a $578.6 billion spending plan that includes a pay raise for military men and women, money to continue building the aircraft that protects ground troops and funds to fight terrorism.

A House appropriations subcommittee on defense will consider the measure tomorrow.

The bill covers the core defense budget plus $88.4 billion for a war-fighting fund that finances military operations in Afghanistan, the Mideast and elsewhere.

It also provides money for a 2.3 percent pay raise for military men and women. That's a bigger bump than the 1.3 percent the White House requested. The measure also provides money to maintain 100 percent of troop housing costs, and guarantees the A-10 Warthog remains available to protect ground troops with close air support.