WASHINGTON — The Senate has agreed to debate legislation that would provide $221 million in new pension benefits to Filipino veterans of World War II who live abroad. The White House and some Republicans say the money is better spent on American soldiers fighting the war on terrorism.

The legislation gives some 18,000 surviving Filipino veterans living outside the U.S. a $300 monthly pension.

Memorial service planned for sailorThe Navy will hold a memorial service Wednesday in Bahrain for a sailor found dead Sunday in her home.

The memorial for Petty Officer 1st Class Cherie Morton, 40, will be held in the multipurpose room of the Freedom Souq at 2 p.m., said Millie Slamin, spokeswoman for Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

Morton was found Sunday morning in her off-base home. She was assigned as a command career counselor for Commander, Navy Region Southwest Asia. Slamin declined to provide details surrounding Morton’s death, including a suspected cause of death, citing an ongoing investigation.

Morton is survived by her father, Richard Gary and her mother, Mary Hughes, both of Rockville, Md.; and her son, Brian Trevor, of Los Angeles, according to a news release.

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