Senate backs massive increase in military spending

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate passed its version of a $700 billion defense policy bill on Monday, backing President Donald Trump’s call for a bigger, stronger military but setting the stage for a battle over government spending levels later this year.

The Republican-controlled chamber voted 89-8 for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2018, or NDAA, which authorizes the level of defense spending and sets policies controlling how the money is spent.

The Senate bill provides about $640 billion for the Pentagon’s main operations, such as buying weapons and paying the troops, and some $60 billion to fund the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere.

The 1,215-page bill includes a wide range of provisions, such as a 2.1 percent military pay raise and $8.5 billion to strengthen missile defense, as North Korea conducts nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests. It also bans Moscow-based Kaspersky Labs products from federal government use.

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#POLITICS SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 / 6:43 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Patricia Zengerle
3 MIN READ


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-defense-congress/senate-backs-massive-increase-in-military-spending-idUSKCN1BT2PV

[ananda]

1. For Reeps, there's always enough money to kill and destroy..

.. but never enough to help and build.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Meanwhile take money from healthcare...KILL KILL KILL!

[kacekwl]

3. 700 Billion is only what they admit to.

There is many more Billions thrown around covertly I'm sure. Oh and by the way Medicare for all is too expensive to even consider. Good to know who's bread gets buttered.

[democratisphere]

4. Typical redumbliCON s'it.

Happens every time redumbliCONs control the WH and Congress.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

5. Just a complete WASTE of money...

As was pointed out on another thread - we can't even reliably shoot down a NK missile - which is our biggest REAL threat!

And how many YEARS did it take to catch up with Bin Laden?

And didn't Bush say he didn't care about catching Bin Laden anyway?

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? - THE POCKETS OF THE 1%.

[GeorgeGist]

6. Another brick in the wall ...

Of unsustainability.

[Lurks Often]

7. 41 Democrats and 1 Independent voted to pass the act

Link: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/s199