Working over the weekend to get the conference version of the 2006 defense authorization bill out the door, House legislators passed the bill on a 374-41 vote. The Senate was expected to take up the $441.5 billion measure Monday. One key provision, per Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, offers protection against civil and criminal prosecution for US service members who “act in good faith.”
As Hurricane Melissa hammers the Caribbean, the U.S. Air Force’s “Hurricane Hunters” are busy flying into the massive Category 4 storm to collect atmospheric data—with one experiencing greater than expected turbulence Oct. 28.

