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House Approves $585 Billion Defense Bill

The House on Thursday passed a $585 billion defense bill that will further expand U.S. efforts to combat Islamic militants in the Middle East.
Image:
In this Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 photo, shows the Iraqi army soldiers deployed in front of the Islamic court run by the Islamic State group in the town of Sadiyah, 60 miles (95 kilometers) north of Baghdad, Iraq in Diyala province, Iraq. Iraqi authorities say Iraqi troops backed by Shiite militias have retaken two towns seized previously by militants in an eastern province. (AP Photo)uncredited / AP

The House on Thursday passed a $585 billion defense bill that will further expand U.S. efforts to combat Islamic militants in the Middle East.

The legislation grants, which passed 300-119, President Barack Obama’s request for funding to fight militants who have taken over parts of Iraq and Syria and authorizes training and equipping moderate Syrian rebels. It also continues to prohibit transferring prisoners from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the United States.

Though several Republican senators object to unrelated provisions in the bill, the legislation is expected to gain final approval from Congress and be signed by the president next week.

IN-DEPTH