Morning Smoke: Senate Passes Defense Spending Bill, Includes $626 Billion to Pentagon

Defense spending bill passes Senate, 63-33 [Navy Times]

Skies darken for Ben Bernanke nomination [Politico]

McCaskill calls for increased oversight of contract work in Afghanistan [The Washington Post]

Discord Behind TARP Exits [The Wall Street Journal]

Not Just Drones: Militants Can Snoop on Most U.S. Warplanes (Updated) [Danger Room]

Defense and State brace for surge in Afghanistan contracting [Government Executive]

Kucinich panel to investigate Citigroup tax ruling [The Washington Post]

The surprising reason why banks are suddenly repaying their TARP funds [Slate Magazine]

Finra Probes Wall Street's Trade Huddles [The Wall Street Journal]

GAO Details Army FMTV Fail [DoD Buzz]