US Senate ignores veto threat, passes war-funds bill

WASHINGTON, May 4 (Reuters) The US Senate today passed a bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and hurricane recovery efforts, ignoring a veto threat from President George W Bush because it includes money for expensive projects he did not request.

By a vote of 78-20, the Senate approved an emergency bill that would spend about 108.9 billion dollars this year, 14.4 billion dollars more than Bush requested.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill more in line with Bush's request and the two chambers will have to work out their differences.

REUTERS PM PC2207