WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives voted to cut off U.S. aid to Russia for destroying former Soviet nuclear weapons unless President Bill Clinton can certify Russia has no offensive biological weapons program.


It approved the amendment 244 votes to 180 Tuesday as it began action on a $267 billion authorization bill to fund U.S. defense programs next year.


The Russia amendment was proposed by Representative Robert Dornan, a California Republican, who said it would not halt U.S. aid for destroying former Soviet nuclear warheads but only require assurance Russia has no offensive biological weapons program.


He quoted press reports that Russia does have such a program.


But opponents said Russia has been slow to dismantle its Cold War biological and chemical weapons programs and the amendment would therefore cut off U.S. aid that has helped remove 2,800 nuclear warheads from former Soviet missiles so far.