WASHINGTON » The Republican-led House has passed a multibillion-dollar defense policy bill that faces a veto threat from President Barack Obama.

Thursday’s vote was 270 to 156.

The $612 billion defense policy bill authorizes an increase in funding that Obama requested, but he’s unhappy with the way lawmakers did it.

The House increased defense spending by padding a separate war-fighting account with an extra $38.3 billion. That account — for overseas contingency operations — is not subject to the budget limits.

Obama and congressional Democrats say the bill breaks through spending caps when it comes to defense at a time when funding for domestic agencies is restricted.

Republicans say the bill authorizes money for national security amid global threats, ensuring money for ships, aircraft and military personnel.