NATION : Senate Panel OKs Troop Cuts

WASHINGTON —  The Senate Armed Services Committee early today approved a $289-billion defense bill that cuts troop strength in Europe by 50,000 and allocates nearly $1 billion less than was requested by the President.

In a session that began early Thursday and ended shortly after 1 a.m., the panel agreed to an overall budget that is $18 billion less than President Bush proposed in January.

The committee, as expected, agreed to the total its chairman, Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), had called for in military spending.

“This is a responsible and manageable glide-path toward a major restructuring of the military Establishment and the way it does business,” Nunn told reporters at a news conference announcing completion of the bill.