AEROSPACE

House-Senate Negotiators OK Defense Bill: The $243-billion defense appropriations bill is $6.9 billion more than President Clinton had requested and includes money for more B-2 Stealth bombers, made by Northrop Grumman in Palmdale and Pico Rivera. The negotiators approved $493 million for parts for more radar-evading B-2 bombers than the limit of 20 set by Congress two years ago. Supporters want 20 more of the bombers. The White House threatened to veto the original House and Senate versions of the defense bill because of the huge increases over Clinton’s request and because of their money for additional weapons, including the B-2 bombers and more fighter planes. It had no immediate comment on the compromise, which is now ready for Congress’ final approval.