The U.S. Senate passed its version of a $700 billion defense policy bill Monday in an 89-8 vote, reports Reuters.
An amendment to the bill would "require a report on cyber applications of blockchain technology," which was proposed by Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio.
The bill also bans Moscow, Russia-based Kaspersky Lab products from federal government use, amid allegations the cybersecurity company's antivirus software could contain back doors that allow Russian intelligence to spy on Kaspersky customers.
The House passed a similar bill at a similar spending level in July. The two bills must be reconciled before final Congressional approval.
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