Congress sends $106 billion war funds bill to Obama

By Jeremy Pelofsky

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress on Thursday sent President Barack Obama a $106 billion bill to pay for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars after political sparring that could foreshadow tougher fights over Obama's agenda.

The bill, delayed by disputes over quickly closing the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay and expanding support for the IMF, highlighted the difficulties Obama may face in Congress even though his fellow Democrats control both the Senate and House of Representatives.

The bill contains $79.9 billion to continue fighting the two wars, $7.7 billion to address the H1N1 flu pandemic, and $1.4 billion in foreign aid for Pakistan, which is fighting Taliban militants spilling over the border from Afghanistan.

"The bill before us represents a balanced compromise between the issues and funding recommended by the House and Senate," said Democratic Senator Daniel Inouye, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Senate voted 91-5, with most Republicans joining Democrats to support it. Obama is expected to sign it into law. The House approval on Tuesday garnered only five Republican votes and 32 Democrats voted against it.

Democrats have a commanding majority in the House, but still need to keep centrist Democrats aboard and win a few Republican votes in the Senate to forestall any procedural roadblocks mounted by the opposition party.

After weeks of tense negotiations among the White House, Democrats and Republicans, lawmakers put limits on Obama's efforts to close the controversial prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where more than 200 terrorism suspects are being held.

LIMITS ON DETAINEES