Senate passes FY-19 defense policy bill

The full Senate today passed the conference version of the fiscal year 2019 defense authorization bill by an 87-10 vote.

The bill provides $716 billion in FY-19 funding for national defense, according to a Senate Armed Services Committee statement.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the committee's chairman who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer, said in the statement the bill's passage "marks the earliest that Congress has completed the bill in over 40 years," adding that he is proud the Senate moved the legislation "through regular order."

House lawmakers approved the conference bill last week. The legislation now awaits President Trump's signature.