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                 US Congress Approves $585 Billion Defense Bill

   by VOA News

   The U.S. Congress has approved a gigantic defense policy bill.

   The $585 billion National Defense Authorization Act  was overwhelmingly
   approved by the Senate Friday, a week after passing in the House of
   Representatives.

   It now awaits President Barack Obama's signature.

   The measure authorizes federal military spending for fiscal year 2015,
   which began on October 1.

   It includes emergency funding requested by the president for military
   operations against Islamic jihadists in Iraq and Syria. The measure
   also authorizes funds for training moderate Syrian rebels and Iraqi
   Kurdish forces for two years.

   The bill includes money for basic U.S. military operations, ranging
   from a one percent pay raise for the troops to the purchase of ships,
   aircraft and other war-fighting equipment.

   The NDAA also mandates the retention of the fleet of A-10 close-air
   support aircraft.  The U.S. Air Force had proposed retiring more than
   100 A-10s, but the NDAA prohibits that action in 2015.

   Despite opposition from Mr. Obama, the bill extends restrictions on
   closing the US. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, renewing a ban
   on transferring detainees from Guantanamo to the United States.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-congress-approves-defense-budget/2
   557635.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-congress-approves-defense-budget/2557635.html