The Senate voted 87-7 late on Thursday to approve the fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill, a measure that authorizes $680 billion for the military and sets Pentagon policy.
After nearly two weeks of floor debate, the Senate quickly disposed of several amendments before the final vote, including one offered by Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., that requires a report on the Defense Department's plans to modernize and improve the safety of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
The amendment, which passed by voice vote, also includes nonbinding language expressing the sense of the Senate that the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty being negotiated with Russia not put any limitations on missile defense and space capabilities.
The House-passed defense authorization bill includes stronger language that imposes restrictions on efforts to reduce U.S. strategic nuclear forces.
It stipulates that no funds could be spent until President Obama certifies that the START treaty does not reduce or limit U.S. ballistic missile defenses or space capabilities.