U.S. House Passes $625.1 Billion Defense Policy Measure
By Roxana Tiron - Dec 13, 2013
The House passed a $625.1 billion defense authorization bill for the current fiscal year that would revamp how the U.S. military handles sexual-assault cases while approving the Pentagon’s request for F-35 fighters and combat ships.
Congressional negotiators resorted to a compromise measure after gridlock in the Senate last month threatened to derail the legislation. A defense policy bill has been enacted for 51 consecutive years, a record lawmakers cite as a sign of bipartisan support for the military.
In an effort to ensure this year’s measure becomes law, the House is using a parliamentary move that will shorten the time that must elapse before a Senate vote next week. The House passed the bill yesterday 350-69, and the Senate is expected to consider it before adjourning for the year.
“This legislation pays our troops and their families,” Representative Buck McKeon, the Republican chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said on the House floor. “It keeps our Navy fleet sailing and military aircraft flying.”
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-13/u-s-house-passes-625-1-billion-defense-policy-measure.html
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