House panel advances $575B defense bill

The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved by voice vote its $575.7 billion defense appropriations bill.

The bill includes $517.1 billion for basic requirements and $58.6 billion for the overseas contingency operations war fund, though $15.7 of the war funding would be used for requirements such as readiness, infrastructure and modernization.

The House bill only provides war funding through April 2017, so the next president will have to request supplemental funding.

The tactic drew a veto threat from the White House on Monday night after a separate defense policy bill adopted the same tactic. The White House, the Pentagon and Democrats argue that ending funding in April could leave troops deployed overseas without the money to continue fighting.

Republicans said the bill provides money for defense necessities such more troops and weapons, and a higher-than-requested pay raise for service members.

Continue reading: http://thehill.com/policy/defense/280173-house-committee-advances-575b-defense-spending-bill