Senate passes bill on Iraq and defense programs (Reuters)

(L-R) Rep. Ike Skelton, (D-MO), House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) listen to a fellow member of Congress speak during a news conference about the Bush administration's handling of Iraq in Capitol Hill, September 29, 2006. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)Reuters – The U.S. Senate on Saturday
authorized $70 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and
nearly $463 billion for defense programs in the fiscal year
that begins on Sunday.