Conaway Responds to President’s Veto of the DoD Funding Bill

Washington  –  Thursday, President Obama vetoed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), marking just the fifth time in over 50 years that a president has vetoed this critical national defense bill. Obama vetoed the bill because of a disagreement of how $36 billion in war funding was shifted away from the NDAA making it harder to raise spending on domestic programs. The bill also forbids Obama from using funds to close down Guantánamo Bay.

Congressman Mike Conaway (TX-11), an NDAA conferee, released the following statement in response to the President’s veto:

“I am truly baffled by the President’s decision to veto the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill that President Obama vetoed today would have provided funding for our national defense and overseas operations. The NDAA is crucial to ensuring that our military personnel receive the benefits and pay that they rightfully deserve, as well as the support and resources they need to do their jobs. This NDAA gives the President every dollar he requested, yet he has chosen political games over his obligation to defend this country. This President’s cavalier attitude towards our troops and our national security is inexcusable, and I look forward to Congressional efforts to override this careless decision by President Obama.”