Bush Vetoes Defense Bill, Delays Troops' Pay Raise

Iraq lawsuit provision sidetracks measure
By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 28, 2007 4:29 PM CST
Bush Vetoes Defense Bill, Delays Troops' Pay Raise
Members of the Democratic leadership, from second from left, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., House Majority Whip James Clyburn of S.C. and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., look on as President Bush speaks prior to signing the Energy Independence...   (Associated Press)

President Bush vetoed a wide-ranging defense-spending measure today after Iraqi politicians objected to a proviso buried in the bill enabling Iraqis to sue their government in US court over Saddam Hussein-era injuries. The bill does not fund the war in Iraq, the Chicago Tribune reports, but does contain a pay raise for US service members.

Moreover, vacationing lawmakers won't be around to remove the problematic provision until January. The move left Democratic leaders Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi wondering why Bush didn't alert Congress to his objections to the bill, which, the two wrote in a statement, "is crucial to our armed forces and their families." (More Bush veto stories.)

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