WASHINGTON, Safar 10, 1436, Dec. 2, 2014, SPA -- Negotiators from both chambers of the U.S. Congress reached agreement this week on defense policy legislation worth $585 billion that provides funding to expand the U.S. mission in Iraq to counter Daash group and gives the military the authority to train moderate Syrian rebel forces. The legislation would provide the core funding of $521.3 billion for the military, including a 1 percent pay increase for soldiers and money for aircraft, ships, and war-fighting equipment. It also includes $63.7 billion for overseas operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. More specifically, the measure endorses US President Barack Obama’s latest request to Congress in the 4-month-old fight against Daash extremists in Iraq and Syria. --SPA 23:31 LOCAL TIME 20:31 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w