Senate Approves Military Spending Bill

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON-The Senate voted 81 to 14 on Friday for a $633 billion military bill for next year that would tighten penalties on Iran over its nuclear ambitions and bulk up security at diplomatic missions worldwide after the deadly raid in Benghazi, Libya. The White House has threatened a veto despite solid bipartisan support in the House and the Senate for the sweeping policy measure that spends $1.7 billion more than President Obama requested to cover the cost of ships, aircraft, weapons and military personnel. The bill would authorize $528 billion for the Defense Department’s base budget, $17 billion for defense and nuclear programs in the Energy Department and $88.5 billion for the war in Afghanistan.

The White House has threatened a veto for the sweeping policy measure that spends $1.7 billion more than President Obama requested to cover the cost of ships, aircraft, weapons and military personnel.