To cover both wars, Senate passes $91.3B bill

The Senate is backing President Barack Obama's efforts to ramp up the war in Afghanistan, granting his request for $91.3 billion for military and diplomatic operations there and in Iraq.

The spending bill, approved on an 86-3 vote Thursday night, goes to congressional negotiators to work out a compromise with a similar measure the House passed. Lawmakers expected to present a bill for Obama's signature next month.

Voting against the measure were Sens. Tom Coburn, a Republican-, Russ Feingold, a Democrat, and idependent Bernie Sanders.

The major difference in what Obama sought and what the Senate granted concerned the $80 million the president …