Senate panel backs $631 billion in defense spending

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/25/us-usa-defense-budget-idUSBRE84N1LD20120525

A Senate panel voted on Thursday to authorize $631.4 billion in defense spending for the 2013 fiscal year, blocking plans to cut the Air Force and ordering offsetting reductions in Pentagon civilian personnel to stay within the president's budget limits.