U.S. Senate approves $165 billion in new war money

[BobbyVan]

Thu May 22, 2008 1:35pm EDT

By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, May 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved an additional $165 billion to wage war in Iraq and Afghanistan for another year after lawmakers blocked proposed timetables for withdrawing American troops from Iraq.

By a vote of 70-26, the Senate passed the new war money the Pentagon says it urgently needs to avoid civilian layoffs within months and the interruption of soldiers' paychecks.

The House of Representatives still must weigh in on the legislation. Last week, it passed a drastically different bill that failed to provide any new money for the wars and would withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the end of 2009.

The House could start debate as early as Friday. But more likely it will take up the legislation in early June after lawmakers return from a week-long recess.

http://www.reuters.com/articlePrint?articleId=USN22512322