The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a 162-billion-dollar measure to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for education benefits for veterans of the ongoing conflicts. ( dpa )
The House passed the measure 268-155 after weeks of tough negotiations with US President George W Bush, who opposed spending extra money beyond what is needed for the wars.
The White House relented after the centre-left Democratic majority agreed to remove some domestic spending but kept the veterans' education package, which Bush had opposed.
The Senate is expected to take up similar legislation next week.