House votes on pared-down bill to fund war

Democratic leaders reluctantly accept the $59 billion legislation; more than $30 billion for 30,000-troop surge

Published July 27, 2010 6:25PM (EDT)

The House is voting on legislation to fund the troop surge in Afghanistan after accepting the reality that attaching money for domestic programs was unfeasible.

With passage, the war-funding bill will go to President Barack Obama for his signature. He requested it last February.

House Democratic leaders reluctantly accepted the $59 billion bill, which has more than $30 billion for Obama's 30,000-troop surge. It was stripped of money to keep teachers on the job or to boost student aid after the Senate soundly rejected a bigger bill favored by the House.

The bill also replenishes disaster aid accounts, funds Haitian earthquake relief and provides benefits for Vietnam war veterans exposed to Agent Orange.


By Jim Abrams

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