22 May 2009

Senate backs Iraq, Afghan war bill

1:29 pm on 22 May 2009

The US Senate on Thursday approved a $US91.3 billion measure sought by President Barack Obama to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The measure meets some of Mr Obama's priorities but leaves out funding to close a prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

It must now be reconciled with a $US96.7 billion version approved by the House of Representatives. That is likely to happen over the next few weeks.