Washington ? The House overwhelmingly approved on Thursday a compromise $355.4 billion defense bill brimming with money for new destroyers, helicopters and missiles, and granting President Bush most of the Pentagon buildup he requested after last year’s terrorist attacks.

While the day’s spotlight shone on congressional debate over authorizing Bush to use force against Iraq, the massive defense spending package one-sixth of the entire federal budget underlined the bipartisan consensus behind beefing up the military. Quick Senate approval also was expected, and White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said Bush looked forward to signing the measure into law because it would “ensure that we provide our troops in the field with the resources they need to fight terrorism and defend freedom.”

The bill’s 409-14 passage, less than four weeks before congressional elections, also reflected a desire by Democrats to head off campaign-season accusations by Bush that they had delayed a measure urgently needed in the U.S. effort against terrorism. Most of Congress’ budget work has been stalled because Bush wants to spend less than Democrats and even some Republicans want.

As lawmakers sorted through a pile of legislation in hopes of recessing soon for the elections, the House approved a $10.5 billion military construction bill, 419-0.

By 272-144, the House also approved a bill keeping federal agencies open for another week, a measure necessitated by the spending battle between Bush and Congress.

The defense bill, for the budget year that started Oct. 1, represents a $34 billion, or 11 percent, increase over last year.