WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Senate Appropriations Committee passed a measure on Tuesday to approve $515.9 billion in base funding and $58.6 billion in overseas contingency funds for the Department of Defense in 2017.
"This is a bipartisan bill that responsibly funds national defense and show strong commitment to those who serve in the Armed Forces," Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations Chair Thad Cochran announced.
Appropriators fully funded US President Barack Obama’s request for ongoing operations against the Islamic State, and will provide the full $3.4 billion requested by the administration for the European Reassurance Initiative, aimed at deterring Russia in Europe.
The bill also prohibits the use of funds toward the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba or transferring GITMO detainees to the United States.
The bill will next go to the full Senate for consideration.
