THE US House of Representatives today passed a bill for more than half a trillion dollars in defence programs for next year, including another $US50 billion ($64.7 billion) “bridge fund” for the Iraq war.

Democrats complained that Republicans barred any meaningful debate on Iraq, along with blocking most of their amendments on a variety of initiatives such as boosting the military’s use of alternative energy and requiring military chaplains to show respect toward service members of all faiths.

But the $US512.9 billion ($663.65 billion) measure passed on a 396-31 vote with support of most Democrats who were loathe to oppose it when US soldiers were in Iraq and Afghanistan and before the November congressional elections.
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