The Latest: Senate backs bill blocking deal with firm ZTE

WASHINGTON – The Latest on a defence policy bill that would block a White House plan to allow Chinese telecom giant ZTE Corp. to buy component parts from the U.S. (all times local):

6:40 p.m.

The Senate has approved a defence policy bill that includes a pay raise for the military while blocking a White House plan to allow Chinese telecom giant ZTE to buy component parts from the U.S.

The Chinese company is accused of violating trade laws by selling sensitive technologies to North Korea and Iran. The Trump administration announced a deal with ZTE earlier this month, but the Senate’s Republican leaders are moving to reverse it.

The Senate approved the bill, 85-10, sending it to the House, which approved the measure last month without the ZTE provision.

The $717 billion measure would give troops a 2.6 per cent pay hike, the largest in nine years. It also addresses shortfalls in military readiness such as pilot training and maintenance of equipment.

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4 p.m.

The Senate is set to pass a defence policy bill that includes a pay raise for the military, but would block a White House plan to allow Chinese telecom giant ZTE to buy component parts from the U.S.

The Chinese company is accused of violating trade laws by selling sensitive technologies to North Korea and Iran. The Trump administration announced a deal with ZTE earlier this month, but Senate leaders have sought to reverse it.

A vote on the annual defence bill is expected late Monday. The $717 billion measure would give troops a 2.6 per cent pay hike — the largest in nine years — and address shortfalls in military readiness.

If approved, the bill would go to the House, which approved the measure last month without the ZTE provision.