Hoyer: Republican Defense Bill Undermines Our National Security, Relies on Budget Gimmick

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after President Obama vetoed legislation that undermines our national security: 

“President Obama and Congressional Democrats have a clear record of supporting a robust national defense, which is why the President proposed a strong defense budget.  In vetoing the National Defense Authorization Act today, President Obama made clear his intention to reject legislation that undermines our national security.  This bill prevents the Pentagon from being able to plan for our defense because it relies on a budget gimmick to fund fundamental defense needs.  That is why Defense Secretary Ash Carter said that the Republican’s ‘one-year approach is managerially unsound, and also unfairly dispiriting to our force.’  According to former Defense Secretary Bob Gates, it’s a ‘terrible way to budget’ and ‘a gimmick.’  I will vote to sustain the President’s veto, and I hope my colleagues will join me so that Congress can return to the work of passing a bipartisan defense authorization bill, one that advances US national security.”