Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Abercrombie issued this statement, following President Bush's veto of a bill that sets defense policy for this year:

"In the Bush Administration, the left hand frequently doesn't know what the right hand is doing. But here, the right hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand is doing. The Defense Bill, which was many months and many hearings in development, passed the House by nearly 400 votes. And the provision that is apparently causing the President such distress was sponsored by Senators from his own party. Mr. Bush is obviously more concerned with preventing lawsuits than supporting U.S. troops and the nation's defense."

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