Wartime spending bill nears passage in House

A $96.7 billion wartime spending bill neared passage in the House Thursday after Democratic leaders won a key procedural vote to expedite action despite rank-and-file fears over President Barack Obama’s expanded military commitments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The 247-178 vote posed a crucial test for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has had to contend with both the anti-war left and political fallout from Obama’s executive order in January to close the Guantanamo detention facility by early next year.

Eight Democrats defected, protesting the leadership’s crack-down on anti-war amendments. But after concessions on Guantanamo, the speaker picked up five Republicans and prevailed easily.

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