The House on May 15 passed a $612 billion defense authorization bill for fiscal year 2016 in a 269-151 vote largely divided along party lines. Forty one Democrats voted in favor of the bill, and 143 voted against.Issues related to illegal immigrants, the crisis in Ukraine, the Islamic State, endangered species and the Guantanamo Bay detention center took center stage over the three days of debate, with weapon system procurement and acquisition pushed to the sidelines. Only one amendment to…
