The House of Representatives approved a $585 billion defense spending bill on Thursday, green lighting President Barack Obama’s plan to expand military action against ISIL.
The 300-119 vote sanctions Obama’s plan to send an additional 1,500 troops to Iraq to train and assist local forces, and increase U.S. airstrikes against the extremists – providing $5 billion for the airstrikes, and $1.6 billion for the increased troop deployment.
It also extends for two years congressional authorization to train and equip vetted members of the armed Syrian opposition. That authorization was scheduled to expire Dec. 11.
“The security threats our nation faces are as grave as they are prolific, and it is imperative that we provide our military men and women the tools they need to keep America safe,” House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement following the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act.
The bill authorizes $521.3 billion for Defense Department operations, and an additional $63.7 billion for overseas contingency operations.
It continues to prevent prisoners held at the U.S. military facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from being transferred to the United States.
A vote in the Senate is expected next week.
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