U.S. House Passes $612 Billion Defense Bill For 2016
The Republican-led U.S. House on Friday passed a $612 billion-plus bill to fund the military in fiscal 2016 after a lengthy debate that divded the two parties. The vote was 269 to 151, with most Democrats in opposition. The new bill adds more funds despite a 2011 law that set hard caps on spending. The Senate still has to pass its own bill and it's unclear whether President Obama will sign off. The White House has hinted it might veto the bill unless certain changes are made. The bill, for instance, would ban the president from closing the Guantanamo Bay dention center that houses Islamic terrorists. Congress has passed a defense-funding bill for 53 years in a row.
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