Washington, June 19 (RHC) – Over White House objections, the U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a $612 billion defense policy bill that calls for arming Ukraine forces, prevents another round of base closures and makes it harder for President Barack Obama to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The U.S. Senate voted 71-25 to approve the bill, which Obama has threatened to veto. The bill provides a 2.3 percent pay increase for U.S. servicemen and women and sets up a system so troops would not have to serve for 20 years before receiving retirement pay.
