President Bush has Threatened a Veto on the Defense Spending Bill, Stating Specific Opposition to a 0.5% Pay Increase for Troops and $40 for Surviving Spouses

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District), former U.S. Army Captain and Iraq war veteran, stood with leaders in the House and Senate to call on President Bush to withdraw his veto threat and support a pay raise for our troops and a much-needed boost to surviving spouses. At a press conference in the U.S. Capitol, Murphy stood with Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and Tim Walz (D-MN) in support of the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House last week by an overwhelming bipartisan margin of 397-27. This legislation calls for an increase in troop pay from 3.0% to 3.5% and gives a $40 monthly benefit for surviving spouses and military families. President Bush said that the 0.5% increase and $40 benefit are unnecessary. This legislation is currently being considered in the Senate.

“At a time when our troops are stretched thin, this pay raise will make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “In 2003, when I was in Baghdad, in the 138 degree heat, the Bush administration wanted to cut our combat pay. That was wrong then and it is wrong now for President Bush to threaten a reckless veto against our soldiers who are putting their lives on the line to protect our families.”

“Our Democratic Congress has put forth a plan to give our troops a raise at a time of war, and no White House opposition will stand in the way of our commitment to our military,” said Senator John Kerry. “Our troops make incredible sacrifices for our country and we owe them a pay raise and benefits that make it clear we honor their sacrifice. We will fight for this pay raise for our troops until it becomes a reality.”

The Bush administration’s veto threat calls the Democratic proposal to provide troops with a pay raise “unnecessary” and underscores the Administration’s opposition to Democratic plans to provide surviving spouses with an additional $40 per month. Excerpts from the Administration’s veto threat – their Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) -- are included below:

“Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance: The Administration opposes section 644, which would pay a monthly special survivor indemnity allowance of $40 . . . the current benefit programs for survivors . . . provide sufficient benefits."

“Military Pay: The Administration strongly opposes sections 601 and 606. The additional 0.5% increase above the President’s proposed 3.0 percent across-the-board pay increase is unnecessary.”

To read the full veto threat – the Statement of Administration Position on the National Defense Authorization Act, click here.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Patrick Murphy served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. He was deployed to Bosnia and then to Iraq. In Iraq he served with the 82nd Airborne where he was awarded the Bronze Star for service. He is the first and only Iraq war veteran to serve in Congress.

For Immediate Release, May 22, 2007

Contact: Adam Abrams (202) 225-4276