Senate OKs more funding for wars, sends package back to House

Washington (CNN) -- The Senate passed an emergency supplemental spending bill to fund the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, setting aside a House package that includes additional social spending.

The Senate action late Thursday sends the package back to the House for its consideration.

"The provisions included in the bill by the Senate are critical for protecting Americans at home and abroad," said Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, Senate appropriations committee chairman.

"It includes the necessary funding to support our troops serving in Iraq and in Afghanistan, the necessary funding to address critical needs resulting from several natural disasters, and funding to respond to the economic and environmental impacts of the devastating Deepwater Horizon oil spill."

The bill also adds money to FEMA's disaster relief fund, which is running low, according to Inouye.

The Pentagon has requested an additional $33 billion to support the added financial costs of President Obama's new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, now the longest conflict in U.S. history.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned senators in June that military operations will need to be reduced for the rest of the year unless Congress approves additional funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Congress is scheduled to take its August recess in a couple of weeks, leaving little time to pass the spending package.