This vote involved passage of a $400.5 billion defense authorization bill which would fund defense-related activities in 2004. Provisions in the bill would exempt the Defense Department from the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The bill would also provide funding to research new "low-yield" nuclear weapons and grant the Pentagon greater flexibility over civilian personnel issues. Progressives voted in opposition to passage because, in their view, federal money should not be spent to develop new nuclear weapons systems. Moreover, Progressives voiced opposition to the environmental exemptions for the Defense Department and disapproved of the provisions restricting the rights of civilian defense employees. The defense authorization was adopted by the House on a 361-68 vote.