2010 MILITARY BUDGET: Voting 68 for and 29 against, the Senate on Oct. 22 sent President Obama the final version of a $680 billion defense budget (HR 2647) for fiscal 2010 that includes $130 billion for war in Iraq and Afghanistan and $27.9 billion for military health care. The bill was opposed mainly over its expansion of the federal hate-crimes law to cover offenses based on sexual orientation, gender or disability. The bill recommends a 3.4 percent military pay raise, increases active-duty personnel by 40,200 troops to 1.41 million troops, caps procurement of F-22 Raptor fighter jets and ends the over-budget VH-71 White House helicopter program.

The bill makes changes requested by President Obama in rules for trying terrorist suspects before military commissions, adding due-process protections in areas such as the admissibility of coerced testimony, hearsay evidence and exculpatory evidence.

Carl Levin, D-Mich., said: "With almost 200,000 men and women...currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and many more supporting them...we cannot afford not to enact this legislation."

Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., said: "The inclusion of the controversial language of the hate crimes legislation, which is unrelated to our national defense, is deeply troubling."

A yes vote was to adopt the conference report.

MINNESOTA Voting yes: Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar