President’s Partisan Veto of Defense Bill Is Unacceptable, McConnell Says
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the President’s veto of NDAA:
“The President regularly calls on Republicans and Democrats to work together to advance the priorities of the nation. We agree.
“Our top priority is our national security, and Congress worked together on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. So while Americans were surprised to learn the President announced he would veto that bipartisan bill, they must be really shaking their heads in disbelief now that they’ve learned the President will not only veto the bill, but will brag about it in a photo op today at the White House.
“Remember what it is the President will veto today.
“The bipartisan bill will attack bureaucratic waste, and authorize pay raises and improve quality-of-life programs for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
“It will strengthen sexual assault prevention and response.
“It will help wounded warriors and heroes who struggle with mental-health challenges.
“And it will equip the men and women who serve with what they need to defend this nation.
“This is the worst possible time for an American President to veto their national defense bill, and especially to do so for arbitrary partisan reasons. Republicans and Democrats here in Congress who worked so hard to pass this important legislation—legislation that authorizes the exact amount the Commander-in-Chief requested—must now work together again, this time to override the President’s partisan veto.
“The President should be highlighting his signature on this bipartisan legislation that supports the men and women who defend our nation. Instead, with our service members facing threats and instability in several theaters, he’ll be bragging about using his veto pen. Our allies are seeking leadership and stability, not indecision. A partisan veto of this bipartisan bill, Mr. President, is simply unacceptable.”
Related Issues: America's Military, National Security, NDAA
Next Previous
