An amendment to a House bill that would prevent the Army from replacing the marble sarcophagus at the Tomb of the Unknowns received unanimous approval from the Senate yesterday.

Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii Democrat, submitted the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act last week after learning that the Army planned to make a decision by Sept. 30 on whether to replace the cracked marble.

A spokeswoman for Sen. Jim Webb, Virginia Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said last week that Mr. Webb and Mr. Akaka wanted to "slow down the process" so Congress could review the plans.

The amendment prevents the Army from making any further plans until it submits a report to Congress about repair and replacement options at the tomb in Arlington National Cemetery.

The Army performed a federally required review of such options, but was not required to notify Congress.

A spokesman for Mr. Akaka also said last week that the senator is aware that the Army notified the public about the plans but "very few people knew about it."

http://washingtontimes.com/article/20070927/METRO/109270089/1004/METRO

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