Boston, MA – Sen. John Kerry issued the following statement today regarding President Bush's expected veto of H.R. 1585, the fiscal year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

"Only George Bush could be for supporting the troops before he was against it,” said Kerry. “We fought against this White House to provide our men and women in uniform a decent pay raise and now three days after Christmas George Bush says he'll veto it. What a disgrace. This fight has just begun and it won't end until we do right by those who sacrifice for our country."

Senator Kerry had previously written to President Bush asking him to stop opposing a 3.5 percent increase in military pay and also introduced a resolution in support of a 3.5 percent pay raise. That pay raise was included in the bill President Bush now threatens to veto.

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