The Sensible Priorities folks came up with a clever spot.
Showing posts with label Defense Spending. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Defense Spending. Show all posts
Friday, December 28
Orwell Would Be So Proud: Bush Vetos Defense Spending Bill
Yes, the President has done what the Democrats have failed to do. He has vetoed the 2008 Defense Spending Bill. Now this is not to be confused by the 3000 page budget which includes funding of the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
However, due to a provision that would allow Iraqis to sue the current government of Iraq in American courts for damages caused under Saddam Hussein's rule, freezing funds in American banks.
Iraq discussed with the United States the possibility of pulling its assets, about $20 billion to $30 billion, out of U.S. institutions if the defense policy bill became law, a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity.
As Steve Benen at CBS said:
"Keep in mind, the veto of the defense authorization bill puts a variety of key spending measures in limbo, including a pay raise for the troops, VA care for wounded veterans, a new "Truman Commission" to fight fraud and waste by military contractors, and expanded job protections for family members of severely wounded troops."
The White House acknowledged the veto would block an additional 0.5% pay raise for military service members authorized by the bill and said it would work to ensure that a retroactive hike is included in a revised version of the legislation. A 3% raise is already set to go into effect in 2008 without the president's signature, Stanzel said.
However, due to a provision that would allow Iraqis to sue the current government of Iraq in American courts for damages caused under Saddam Hussein's rule, freezing funds in American banks.
Iraq discussed with the United States the possibility of pulling its assets, about $20 billion to $30 billion, out of U.S. institutions if the defense policy bill became law, a senior administration official said on condition of anonymity.
As Steve Benen at CBS said:
"Keep in mind, the veto of the defense authorization bill puts a variety of key spending measures in limbo, including a pay raise for the troops, VA care for wounded veterans, a new "Truman Commission" to fight fraud and waste by military contractors, and expanded job protections for family members of severely wounded troops."
The White House acknowledged the veto would block an additional 0.5% pay raise for military service members authorized by the bill and said it would work to ensure that a retroactive hike is included in a revised version of the legislation. A 3% raise is already set to go into effect in 2008 without the president's signature, Stanzel said.
Friday, October 5
Non-Iraq Defense Spending Up $43 Billion
From the NY Times
The Senate on Wednesday approved $459 billion in spending for the Pentagon, after adding $3 billion for security at the Mexican border.
The bill, passed by voice vote, does not include President Bush’s request for almost $190 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would increase other Pentagon spending $43 billion, up more than 10 percent from the last budget.
Much of the new money would be devoted to procuring new weapons, including the V-22 tilt rotor aircraft, unmanned drone aircraft, the next generation of Joint Strike Fighters and the F-22 Raptor fighter jet.
The border security money had been in a spending bill for the Homeland Security Department that Mr. Bush has promised to veto because it exceeds his budget request by $2 billion.
By shifting the money to the Pentagon bill, Republican leaders hoped to preserve the financing without embarrassing the president by overriding his veto. The military bill includes more money for National Guard equipment and military health care and a 3.5 percent pay increase for military personnel.
The Senate on Wednesday approved $459 billion in spending for the Pentagon, after adding $3 billion for security at the Mexican border.
The bill, passed by voice vote, does not include President Bush’s request for almost $190 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would increase other Pentagon spending $43 billion, up more than 10 percent from the last budget.
Much of the new money would be devoted to procuring new weapons, including the V-22 tilt rotor aircraft, unmanned drone aircraft, the next generation of Joint Strike Fighters and the F-22 Raptor fighter jet.
The border security money had been in a spending bill for the Homeland Security Department that Mr. Bush has promised to veto because it exceeds his budget request by $2 billion.
By shifting the money to the Pentagon bill, Republican leaders hoped to preserve the financing without embarrassing the president by overriding his veto. The military bill includes more money for National Guard equipment and military health care and a 3.5 percent pay increase for military personnel.
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