- WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President
Bush signed into law on Monday a record $401.3 billion defense spending
bill that gives soldiers an average 4 percent raise.
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- "America stands with the United States military,"
Bush said as he signed the legislation in a ceremony at the Pentagon.
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- The legislation, approved earlier this month by the U.S.
Congress, clears the way for the Air Force to acquire 100 Boeing Co. refueling
aircraft, expands veterans' benefits and allows research on new types of
nuclear weapons.
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- It includes $9.1 billion for ballistic missile defense.
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- "We will do whatever it takes to keep our nation
strong, to keep the peace and to keep the American people secure,"
Bush said.
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- Bush hailed U.S. forces serving in Afghanistan and Iraq,
saying: "You're standing for order and hope and democracy in Afghanistan
and Iraq. You're standing up for the security of all free nations, and
for the advance of freedom."
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