THE SENATE PASSES THE $612 BILLION DEFENSE POLICY BILL WITH $38 BILLION FOR AN EXTRA WAR FUNDING–DESPITE THE DEMOCRATS VOTES AGAINST THE MILITARY–ON TO THE HOUSE OF CONGRESS–AND THE DEMOCRAT POTUS BHO POTENTIAL VETO

The Senate passed an annual $612 billion defense policy bill Thursday, including extra war funding for the Pentagon that brought a veto threat from the White House.

Senators voted 71-25 on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which lays out broad policy requirements for the Defense Department.

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), both of whom are running for president, were the only Republicans to vote against the bill.

Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Ben Cardin (Md.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Al Franken (Minn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Barbara Mikulski (Md.), Bill Nelson (Fla.), Harry Reid (Nev.), Jack Reed (R.I.), Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.), as well as Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) voted against the legislation. 

The usually bipartisan bill garnered strong criticism from Democratic leadership this year for including an extra $38 billion in funds through the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account, the Pentagon's war fund. The maneuver allowed Republicans to bypass federal budget caps imposed in 2011.

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/245436-senate-passes-612b-defense-policy-bill-despite-veto-threat