House Passes $690 Billion Defense Bill

The U.S. House has passed a $690 billion defense bill that limits President Obama's authority on reducing nuclear weapons and deciding what to do with terrorist suspects.

The vote was 322-96 on Thursday.

The broad defense blueprint would fund an array of aircraft, ships and submarines and meet the Pentagon's request for $119 billion to fight wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Final passage came shortly after the House narrowly rejected a measure requiring an accelerated timetable and exit strategy for withdrawing U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

The bill must be reconciled with a Senate version. The Senate Armed Services Committee will begin drafting its bill the week of June 13.