WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Senate passed on Tuesday the $607 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which includes spending cuts and provisions that oppose closure of the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The bill passed gaining an overwhelming majority of 91 votes in favor and 3 votes against it.
The new National Defense Authorization Act for 2016 reduces funding for counterterrorism programs by $250 million, which would also include enacting cuts for the train-and-equip program in Syria.
It also contains provisions which make it difficult to close the Guantanamo Bay prison. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said last week, however, that President Obama could close the Guantanamo detention center by using his executive authority if the Congress does not cooperate on the issue.
The defense budget bill passed the US House of Representatives last week with 370 votes.