Military funding bill saves Ohio tank plant caught in fight between Congress, White House

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FILE - This undated file photo provided by the General Dynamics Land System shows the production of an Abrams tank in Lima, Ohio. A new defense spending plan will keep the nation\'s only tank manufacturing plant operating through the next two years, ending months of worry about the future of the factory where about 800 workers refurbish the Abrams tanks. (AP Photo/General Dynamics Land System, File)

TOLEDO, Ohio – A new defence spending plan will keep the nation’s only tank manufacturing plant working for at least the next couple of years.

Fighting on Capitol Hill over funding had put the northern Ohio factory’s future in doubt.

About 800 workers in Lima (LY’-muh) refurbish the Abrams tanks with new weapons and sophisticated systems.

President Barack Obama last week signed off on a defence bill that includes $136 million for tank upgrades that only will maintain minimal production at the plant through 2014.

The Pentagon had wanted to halt production for a few years because it said it will soon have enough tanks.

Some members of Congress from Ohio had fought to restore funding for the tanks against White House opposition.

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