U.S. House approves $612 Bln for Pentagon in 2009

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday authorized 621.5 billion U.S. dollars to fund the Pentagon's operations in the 2009 fiscal year starting Oct. 1.

Passed on a 392-39 vote, the defense policy bill cover the conventional Pentagon budget and 68.6 billion dollars for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

An earlier version of the bill failed due to strong opposition from the White House.

Fearing President George W. Bush's veto power, the new version drops items opposed by the administration, including the language calling for withdrawing troops from Iraq.

The bill also approves a 3.9-percent pay rise for all military personnel and fully funds the planned radar site in the Czech Republic.

The legislation is expected to clear the Senate very soon and then goes to Bush's desk for his signature.