HOUSE VOTES FUNDS FOR SPACE STATION

National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials are acclaiming the refusal of the House of Representatives to kill the space station Freedom, but they still face a tough battle to persuade Congress to give the program all the money President Bush wants.

The House voted Wednesday to provide $1.7 billion for the manned orbiting laboratory, $525 million less than Bush is seeking for the coming year. Because of the shortfall and other disputes, the measure faces a veto threat as it heads to the Senate, which has yet to write its version of the bill.

President Bush considers the station to be the core program of America's space endeavors for the early 21st century.