The Senate Armed Services Committee has approved an additional $20 million for chemical weapons destruction in next year's defense spending bill, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said yesterday.

If the measure is approved by the full Senate and House of Representatives, chemical neutralization programs at Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County and in Pueblo, Colo., would get $53 million next year instead of $33 million requested.

Last week, President Bush signed into law a provision sponsored by McConnell that will ensure the Pentagon cannot divert money for the two programs to other sites.