NATION IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : Panel Calls for Delay in Vote in B-2 Funds

The Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee expressed support for the beleaguered B-2 Stealth bomber program but proposed that Congress delay until next year a final vote on spending $3.2 billion to build four more planes. The action was designed to provide time to determine the seriousness of the B-2’s failure to pass radar-evasion tests. The senators met in closed session with Defense Secretary Dick Cheney to discuss the problems of the B-2. He has indicated that he still supports the Stealth bomber. In approving a $270.4-billion defense spending bill for fiscal 1992, the panel eliminated $2.38 billion to buy one Seawolf attack submarine.