While a member of Congress, he had served for 20 years on the defense subcommittee of the House appropriations committee.

The Defense Subcommittee oversees military defense spending, which is the largest individual component of federal discretionary spending.

Staff Director ("dual-hatted" for both full Committee and Defense Subcommittee)

Both are Democratic members of the Defense Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee.

The Defense Subcommittee earmarked $14 million for Audre in 1993 and $20 million in 1994.

The Defense Subcommittee already has jurisdiction over military intelligence spending, and is reluctant to give up jurisdiction over the entire intelligence budget.

"One of the things we looked at was the momentum of the groups," said Bill Packer, a member of San Diego's defense subcommittee.

Military defense spending is the largest individual component of federal discretionary spending, making the Defense Subcommittee one of the more powerful Appropriations subcommittees.

Trident had benefited from earmarks added by the defense subcommittee while Mr. Lewis was chairman and Ms. White was on staff.

Although he opposed the Reagan administration on strategic weapons, AuCoin used his position on the defense subcommittee to improve U.S. conventional arms.