Senate OKs $625 billion defense budget

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate approved a $625.6 billion Pentagon budget that includes $128.6 billion for U.S. military operations overseas.

In a meeting with key lawmakers before the Senate's 93-7 vote, President Barack Obama warned that annual costs would approach $1 billion for every 1,000 troops added, and that Afghanistan is driving military spending more toward meeting immediate needs of soldiers and Marines in the field, Politico reported.

The Senate's vote Tuesday came the same day as a House-Senate conference committee reached agreement on a companion authorization bill that includes controversial funding for an alternative fighter jet engine Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he didn't want included, the Washington publication said.

On the floor, senators debated defense contracts and spending earmarks for private companies.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., proposed the Senate adopt tougher House standards, mandating "full and open competition" for spending items intended for a for-profit entity, Politico said. Senators approved a proposal offered by Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, that any earmarks be subjected to the same procedures as the administration's contracts, many of which are sole-sourced without full competition.