Defense Authorization Bill Heads to President Obama’s Desk Again

Second time’s the charm.

Having resolved a budget impasse over defense spending, the Senate passed the $607 billion annual defense authorization bill 91-3 on Tuesday. It soon heads to President Obama’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it, despite earlier veto threats.

“For 53 consecutive years, Congress has passed the NDAA … but perhaps at no time in our nation’s history has this legislation been more critical,” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said on the floor ahead of the vote, noting security crises from the South China Sea to the reported downing of a Russian jetliner by a terrorist act. “As our citizenry and voters are deeply frustrated about our inability to get anything done here, I would just point out that our highest priority and responsibility is defending the nation.”

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