Jakarta, ID
Tuesday, May 29 2012, 14:09 PM

World

Senate approves $662 billion defense bill

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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 personel, 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 that require military custody of suspected terrorists and indefinite detention for those captured.

The overallbill 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 the session.