WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved a massive, $662 billion defense bill despite a presidential veto threat over provisions dealing with the handling of suspected terrorists.
The vote Thursday night was 93-7. The bill would provide money for military personnel, weapons systems, defense programs in the Energy Department, and the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the fiscal year that began Oct. 1.
The White House has threatened a veto over provisions requiring military custody of suspected terrorists and indefinite detention for those captured.
The overall bill is $27 billion less than what President Barack Obama requested and $43 billion less than what Congress provided the Pentagon this year.
The Senate version still must be reconciled with the House-passed measure in the remaining weeks of this congressional session.
