House war funding bill clears key hurdle despite White House veto threat, anti-war sentiment

House war funding bill clears key hurdle

WASHINGTON — A $60 billion-plus war funding measure has survived a crucial test vote in the House despite strong pessimism among many Democrats that Afghanistan is turning out to be a quagmire for U.S. troops.

The 215-210 vote virtually guarantees the measure will advance Thursday night despite a White House veto promise over proposed cuts to education programs that would be used to help pay for a plan to slow teacher layoffs.

Democrats controlling the chamber want to add the education provisions in a subsequent vote as a way to keep alive a Democratic jobs agenda that’s faltering because of GOP opposition in the Senate.

The war funding bill is needed to pay for the president’s decision to send 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An $60 billion-plus war funding measure has survived a crucial test vote in the House despite strong pessimism among many Democrats that Afghanistan is turning out to be a quagmire for U.S. troops.

The 215-210 vote virtually guarantees the measure will advance Thursday night despite a White House veto promise over proposed cuts to education programs that would be used to help pay for a plan to slow teacher layoffs.

Democrats controlling the chamber want to add the education provisions in a subsequent vote as a way to keep alive a Democratic jobs agenda that’s faltering because of GOP opposition in the Senate.

The war funding bill is needed to pay for the president’s decision to send 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan.