Statement of Senator Carl Levin on the President’s Veto of the National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON – The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., today expressed his dismay at the President’s decision to veto the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008.

“This bill is important to our men and women in uniform,” Levin said. “It contains a 3.5 percent pay raise, authorization for well-deserved bonuses, and the Wounded Warrior legislation that will do so much to ensure that our service members and veterans get the care and treatment that they need and deserve.”

Levin added: “It is unfortunate that the Administration failed to identify the concerns upon which this veto is based until after the bill had passed both houses on Congress and was sent to the President for signature. I am deeply disappointed that our troops and veterans may have to pay for their mistake and for the confusion and uncertainty caused by their snafu.”

Levin stated that a decision on what steps should be taken to address the President’s veto and ensure that the bill becomes law will necessarily await Congress’ return in January.