GOP bill tries to avoid defense cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican senators are trying to spare the Pentagon from nearly $500 billion in cuts that will kick in automatically next January because the congressional deficit-cutting panel failed to find a way to reduce spending.

Sen. Jon Kyl is the No. 2 Senate Republican, and John McCain is the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee. They unveiled legislation Thursday to freeze pay for federal workers and cut the federal workforce to produce $110 billion in savings for one year.

It's similar to a bill in the House.

President Barack Obama says he will veto any effort to undo the automatic cuts affecting the Pentagon and domestic programs.