The Senate overwhelmingly passed a revised annual defense policy bill on Tuesday, sending the measure to President Obama's desk for a second time.
The Senate voted 91-3 on the $607 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which lays out broad defense policy requirements and restrictions.
Obama vetoed the original bill largely because of concerns about an extra $38 billion in war funding. A two-year budget deal passed late last month resolved that policy fight by increasing both defense and nondefense spending.
The new version cut $5 billion from the original bill to match the budget deal, including $250 million to the administration's Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund and more than $1 billion in fuel savings.
"I'm proud of this legislation. Could we have done more? Yes. ... But I would argue that this is the most significant reform legislation in the last 30 years," Sen. John McCain
John Sidney McCainThe Hill's Campaign Report: Democrats brace for New Hampshire results Feehery: It's Trump's race to lose McSally launches 2020 campaign MORE (R-Ariz.), the Senate Armed Services Committee chairman who helped spearhead the bill, said ahead of Tuesday's vote.
Sen. Bernie Sander (I-Vt.), who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, as well as Oregon Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley
Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan MerkleySenators push for new rules now that Trump impeachment battle is over Democratic senators ask banks to prohibit funding Arctic drilling Senate rejects impeachment witnesses, setting up Trump acquittal MORE and Ron Wyden
Ronald (Ron) Lee WydenMcConnell: GOP has 'internal divisions' on bill to lower drug prices Democratic senator requests State records on Trump activities in Ukraine Senate Democrats seek committee action on energy tax proposals MORE voted against the legislation.
Republican Sens. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe advantage of paying for medical care directly Hillicon Valley: Democrats press Facebook, Twitter to remove new Trump video of Pelosi | Iowa Dem chair calls for investigation into caucus problems | How Reddit is combating coronavirus misinformation Republican senators call on Twitter to suspend Iran's Khamenei, Zarif MORE (Texas), Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamHarris demands Barr testify over Roger Stone sentence recommendation Democrats call for Graham to launch Senate probe into Roger Stone sentence recommendation Democratic senator requests State records on Trump activities in Ukraine MORE (S.C.), Marco Rubio
Marco Antonio RubioLawmakers raise concerns over Russia's growing influence in Venezuela USDA takes heat as Democrats seek probe into trade aid Overnight Energy: Experts criticize changes to EPA lead, copper rule | House panel looks into plan to limit powers of EPA science advisers | Senate bill aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 MORE (Fla.), Rand Paul
Randal (Rand) Howard PaulOvernight Defense: Trump says military may consider disciplining Vindman | Dems pick up another Republican for Iran war measure | Watchdog says over 2,000 people killed rebuilding Afghanistan Republicans scramble to avoid Medicare land mine Dems pick up new GOP support to rein in Trump's Iran war powers MORE (Ky.), David Vitter
David Bruce VitterThe biggest political upsets of the decade Red-state governor races put both parties on edge Louisiana Republicans score big legislative wins MORE (La.) and Dean Heller
Dean Arthur HellerLobbying World Democrats spend big to put Senate in play This week: Barr back in hot seat over Mueller report MORE (Nev.) didn't vote. Cruz, Graham, Rubio and Paul are all seeking the GOP presidential nomination.
The legislation, which passed the House by a 370-58 vote last week, includes restrictions on transferring detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, adding roadblocks to a long-standing pledge from Obama to close the facility.
Under the NDAA, a one-year ban on moving detainees into the United States is extended. Detainees also cannot be transferred to Yemen, Somalia, Libya or Syria.
The restrictions have gained increased scrutiny with the president expected to hand over a plan for closing the controversial facility as soon as this week. That plan is expected to include trying to move dozens of the 112 remaining detainees into the United States, something that congressional Republicans are firmly opposed to.
While Obama called the Guantanamo provisions “counterproductive,” the White House has stopped short of issuing a fresh veto threat against the revised defense bill. Republicans are suggesting that despite the looming policy battle on the facility, they expect the president to sign the revised legislation.
"We look forward to the Senate passing this essentially unchanged legislation and the president signing the bipartisan bill — along with its restrictions against bringing terrorists into the United States — into law," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOvernight Defense: Trump says military may consider disciplining Vindman | Dems pick up another Republican for Iran war measure | Watchdog says over 2,000 people killed rebuilding Afghanistan Republicans scramble to avoid Medicare land mine Overnight Health Care: House panel advances legislation on surprise medical bills | Planned Parenthood, ACLU sue over Trump abortion coverage rule | CDC identifies 13th US patient with coronavirus MORE (R-Ky.) said. “That’s the right thing for our men and women in uniform. That’s the right thing for our country."
McCain, separately, told reporters last week that he didn’t expect Obama would veto the bill for a second time because of the restrictions.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “They shouldn’t. It would be a very weak argument because I’ve asked them for a plan and they haven’t given me a plan.”
Obama has raised concerns about restrictions on Guantanamo transfers during previous defense policy bills but ultimately signed them.
This story was updated at 12:21 p.m.
