Dec. 22, 2010 -- WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that authorizes the Pentagon to spend nearly $160 billion on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan this budget year without major restrictions on the conduct of operations.
The bill passed the House and Senate on voice votes after Democrats agreed to strip several provisions, including one that would have allowed gays to serve openly in the military.
"The controversial aspects of this legislation have been removed," said Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee.
The provision that would have overturned the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy was approved as a standalone bill and President Barack Obama signed it into law on Wednesday.
