US surveillance, Syria at issue on defense bill


July 23, 2013 at 9:24a.m.

US surveillance, Syria at issue on defense bill

WASHINGTON (AP)— Limits on secret U.S. surveillance programs and President Barack Obama’s push to help Syrian rebels were in dispute as the House weighed legislation to fund the nation’s military. The House planned to begin debate today on the $598.3 billion defense spending bill for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, and late Monday the House Rules Committee voted to allow votes on the contentious issues.