US House adopts massive $611 billion defense bill

December 03, 2016  00:18
The House of Representatives has approved a $611 billion defence policy bill that rejects a number of President Barack Obama's proposals for managing the nation's vast
military enterprise.

Lawmakers passed the legislative package today by a wide margin of 375-34. The bill now goes to the Senate, where a vote is expected early next week.

The legislation would prohibit Obama from closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and would deny the Pentagon's bid to start a new round of military base closings.

The legislation would award US troops their largest pay raise since 2010.

The White House has warned granting a higher raise would upset a careful balance between paying service members competitive salaries and acquiring cutting-edge equipment and training.

The bill also would block the Pentagon's planned reductions in the number of active-duty troops.
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