U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday evening passed a massive defense budget, after making changes that the White House called would not constrain the administration's counterterrorism efforts.

The bill, passed with a 283-136 vote, was 662 billion dollars in size. It was amended at the last minute to include language that the White House demanded. The bill requires the military take custody of a suspect deemed to be a member of al-Qaeda or its affiliates, who is involved in plotting or committing attacks against the United States. U.S. citizens are exempted.

But answering demands from the White House, the bill contains language that says it will not affect "existing criminal enforcement and national security authorities of the FBI or any other domestic law enforcement agency" with regard to a captured suspect, and the president can waive the provision based on national security.

The change came after the White House waved veto threat for two weeks. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement Wednesday that after the changes, the bill's "language does not challenge or constrain the president's ability to collect intelligence, incapacitate dangerous terrorists, and protect the American people, and the president's senior advisors will not recommend a veto."

The White House had previously threatened to veto the bill over requirements for terrorism suspects to be detained in military installations, calling it a "legally controversial restriction of the president's authority."

The Senate was expected to approve the measure later this week before sending it to President Barack Obama for his signature.

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