The House voted 235-192 Thursday to pass a potential $789 billion spending package to fund the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, nuclear programs and the Trump administration’s proposed border wall for fiscal 2018, Politico reported Thursday.The Make America Secure Appropriations Act combines four of the 12 spending measures and would provide DoD with at least $658 billion in funds, including $73.9 billion for overseas contingency operations.
Defense News also reported that the budget package would allocate $1.57 billion for the construction of a 70-mile-long wall across the U.S.-Mexico border and $88.8 billion in discretionary funds for VA and military construction efforts.
The package also proposes a 2.4 percent increase in military personnel’s pay as well as funds for the legislative branch, energy and water infrastructure development efforts.
The House vote brings the spending legislation to the Senate for consideration.
Congress needs to complete all 12 spending measures before the current fiscal year ends on Sept. 30, Politico added.
