Senate OKs $106B for Wars

The Senate today overwhelmingly passed a bill authorizing $106 billion to fund the nation’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Hill reports. It now goes to President Obama for his expected signature. The vote had been delayed by wrangling over how to keep detainee abuse photos under wraps. Yesterday, the Senate passed a stand-alone law on the matter, and Obama assured senators he would issue an executive order if necessary.

The supplemental bill includes add-ons above and beyond the $80 billion required for the military. One of the more contentious is $5 billion for the IMF, which the GOP said amounts to “a global bailout on the backs of US troops.” Harry Reid equated Republican reticence with not supporting the troops, which a GOP aide denounced as "ridiculous rhetoric."

(More US Senate stories.)