Not the crimes and incompetence – but this could bring down the President
The Bush administration today threatened to a veto a House defense spending bill over a 3.5 percent pay raise for U.S. soldiers and a $40/month increase in benefits for military widows, among other provisions. The legislation passed the House today 397-27.
I think those 27 R’s who voted against will also have some ‘splainin to do.
The White House says it also opposes:
– a $40/month allowance for military survivors, saying the current benefits are “sufficient”
– additional benefits for surviving family members of civilian employees
– price controls for prescription drugs under TRICARE, the military’s health care plan for military personnel and their dependents
House Minority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) said today he was “shocked and disappointed in the President’s threat,” noting that Bush’s problems with the bill are over measures that benefit “the very people who sacrifice the most in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and who serve at home and overseas.”
Shrub might as well drive around DC with one of those magnetic yellow ribbons on his motorcade with “Support the troops” written on it. That’s about as much support as he’s willing to show.
397-27? Sounds fairly veto-proof to me. I’d call his bluff on this one.