Defense authorization measure clears House

Despite a controversial provision that would allow the military to detain terrorism suspects without judicial approval, the House passed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA H.R. 1540) Dec. 14 by 283-136, reports Federal Computer Week.

The bill, which must pass the Senate, would include $19 billion less than in 2011 to fund national defense in 2012, bringing overall spending authorization to $554 billion for bases and $115.5 billion for overseas expenditures, including the war in Afghanistan, according to The Hill.

The Obama administration, which originally promised a veto if the measure passed, has now said the President Barack Obama supports it, reports Government Executive. The bill could come before the Senate as early as week’s end.