House Panel Authorizes Nearly $700 Billion in Defense Spending

Source: The Hill
By John T. Bennett

The House Armed Services Committee early Thursday approved a spending measure that clears the Pentagon and Energy Department to spend nearly $700 billion next fiscal year.

The panel approved a baseline Pentagon spending level of $553 billion, matching the Obama administration's request. It also authorized the Energy Department to spend $18 billion on nuclear weapons projects, and cleared the military to spend $118 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The $690 billion defense authorization measure is expected to hit the House floor the week of May 23, according to aides.

The marathon markup began Wednesday morning and stretched into the early morning hours of Thursday.

As one day became another, the committee approved an amendment aimed at delaying a repeal of the ban on openly gay military service members. Democrats threw out the so-called “Don't ask, don't tell” policy last year during a lame-duck legislative session, against the wishes of most Republicans.

More at: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/160745-house-committee-authorizes-nearly-700b-in-defense-spending

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