Panel cuts Euro missile defense spending

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- An attempt by Republicans to restore $200 million for a European-based missile defense system was voted down Wednesday by the House Armed Services Committee.

The Bush administration is seeking funding to place land-based interceptor missiles in Poland as well as a radar installation in the Czech Republic, a plan strongly opposed by Russia. It has also faced opposition from congressional Democrats, who say that even with the $200 million decrease, the European missile defense program is still receiving $100 million more than this year, Voice of America reported.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., led the effort to turn back GOP efforts to restore the funding, VOA reported.

"We are hardly slashing what the president has asked for, but things have not changed," she said. "We do not have signed agreement with Poland or the Czech Republic, we do not have ratified agreements with their parliaments."

The missile program's ultimate fate will be determined when the House and Senate vote on their own versions of the $500 billion defense authorization bill for 2009 and then iron out differences in conference committees.