$636 billion military bill passed by Senate.

While discussion centers on a health care reform bill that is supposed to actually reduce the deficit over ten years this 636 billion military bill passes almost without notice. 2.5 billion for funding a military aircraft that neither the Pentagon nor the Obama administration wants was part of the bill. Interesting that even though neither the Pentagon nor Obama administration wanted the funding it is still in the bill. Obviously someone wanted it, someone with considerable power. Would they have any connection with the military-industrial complex?

While everyone is harping on and on about the increasing deficit and the deficit is used as one excuse for rejecting health reforms when it comes to the military there is not a peep it would seem. The matter usually does not come up when discussing increasing commitments to Afghanistan.

Sen John McCainJohn McCain shows himself to be principled from time to time as in his vote against the bill even though he is a big supporter of the military and the war in Afghanistan. When it comes to military expenditure it seems that there is magnificent bipartishanship.

""""Senate Passes $636 Billion Military Bill

Posted By Jason Ditz

The Senate today voted 93-7 in favor of the $636 billion defense appropriations bill to provide funding to the US military over the fiscal year beginning this month.

The bill includes $128.2 billion in funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and bars President Obama from transferring any of the suspects at Guantanamo Bay to the US for trials.

Two of the Senators voting against the bill, Sens. McCain and Feingold, objected to the $2.5 billion in continued funding for C-17 military aircraft. The Pentagon has said it doesn't want the aircraft, and the Obama Administration has sought to cancel the funding for them.

Sen. Feingold was the only Democrat to vote against the bill. The six Republicans included Sens. McCain, Enzi, Coburn, Demint, Barrasso, and Graham.""""