Obama Vetoes NDAA - Hillary Clinton Appears Before House Select Committee on Benghazi

Today in Washington - Oct 22, 2015:  (Article content updated 4 PM)
President Obama vetoed the NDAA conference report - H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) citing sweeping $612 billion defense policy bill, citing objections over how the measure is funded. He also objected to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba being kept open.

Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families, noted: "The bipartisan bill funding the Pentagon passed 270-to-156 in the House and 70-to-27 in the Senate. Thirty-seven House Democrats voted for it, as did 20 Senate Democrats.

"Among Obama's objections are popular provisions preventing him from closing the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Only 29% of Americans support Obama's position. Obama is also insisting on more domestic spending. He is holding the defense budget hostage, demanding congressional Republicans bust the budget caps on programs that have nothing to do with our national defense."

The House reconvened at 10 AM. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) responded to the President Obama’s veto National Defense Authorization Act: “By placing domestic politics ahead of our troops, President Obama has put America’s national security at risk. This indefensible veto blocks pay and vital tools for our troops while Iranian terrorists prepare to gain billions under the president’s nuclear deal. Congress should not allow this veto to stand.”

Bills that may be considered today:
H.R. 3762 - to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 2002 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016; waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules; and providing for consideration of motions to suspend the rules."
H.R. 1937 — "To require the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to more efficiently develop domestic sources of the minerals and mineral materials of strategic and critical importance to United States economic and national security and manufacturing competitiveness."

Yesterday the House passed:
H.R. 10 (240-191) — "To reauthorize the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act, and for other purposes."
H.R. 692 (235-194) — "To ensure the payment of interest and principal of the debt of the United States."
S. 1362 (Voice Vote) — "To amend title XI of the Social Security Act to clarify waiver authority regarding programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE programs)."

Today, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before the House Select Committee on Benghazi to answer questions. Chairman Gowdy's Opening Statement follows:

The Senate reconvened at 10 AM today and resumed consideration of S. 754, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act.

At 11 AM, the Senate voted 83-14 to invoke cloture on the Burr-Feinstein substitute amendment to S. 754.

The Senate then debated an amendment offered by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). Senators voted 32-65 to reject the Paul amendment.

At 1:45 PM, the Senate will begin voting on four ambassadorial nominees: Julie Furuta-Toy to be ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Dennis B. Hankins to be ambassador to the Republic of Guinea, Harry K. Thomas to be ambassador to Zimbabwe, and Robert Porter Jackson to be ambassador to Ghana.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blasted the president for vetoing this crucial legislation and admonished him for turning it into a photo op. ““The President regularly calls on Republicans and Democrats to work together to advance the priorities of the nation. We agree.

“Our top priority is our national security, and Congress worked together on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis to pass the National Defense Authorization Act. So while Americans were surprised to learn the President announced he would veto that bipartisan bill, they must be really shaking their heads in disbelief now that they’ve learned the President will not only veto the bill, but will brag about it in a photo op today at the White House.”

Leader McConnell concluded, “This is the worst possible time for an American President to veto their national defense bill, and especially to do so for arbitrary partisan reasons. Republicans and Democrats here in Congress who worked so hard to pass this important legislation—legislation that authorizes the exact amount the Commander-in-Chief requested—must now work together again, this time to override the President’s partisan veto.

“The President should be highlighting his signature on this bipartisan legislation that supports the men and women who defend our nation. Instead, with our service members facing threats and instability in several theaters, he’ll be bragging about using his veto pen. Our allies are seeking leadership and stability, not indecision. A partisan veto of this bipartisan bill, Mr. President, is simply unacceptable.”

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