House completes approval of $178 billion arms bill

President Reagan had only to sign the largest military weapons bill in US history for it to become law after the House approved the legislation authorizing $178 billion for arms in 1983.

The House passed the compromise bill 251 to 148. The Senate earlier gave its approval by a 77-to-21 margin. The $178 billion is $5.6 billion less than what President Reagan requested, but is much larger than the $130 billion authorized for 1982.