Present will would be vetoed
White House officials issued a statement in which they warned that if the present bill were submitted to them as the military spending bill the president would veto it. The veto would be a serious challenge to the US Congress attempting to place limits on foreign policy decisions.
A recent article in the Hill notes: “If the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) ‘were presented to the president in its current form, his advisors would recommend that he veto it,’ the statement of administration policy said. ‘While the administration appreciates the House Armed Services Committee’s (Committee) investments in key national security priorities and its support for the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families, H.R. 2500 includes a number of provisions that raise deep concerns,’ the statement added.”
Another key concern of the Trump administration is that the $733 billion value of the spending is still $17 billion less than the Trump administration had requested.
Restriction in the House bill
The bill would prevent Trump from transferring any new detainees to Guantanamo Bay. It also provides no funding for tactical nuclear weapons. The Trump administration objects to both measures.
The White House announcement defended funding for tactical nuclear weapons saying: ““Blocking deployment would send a dangerous message to potential adversaries, many of whom are investing in their own modernization priorities, that the United States is incapable of adjusting its nuclear posture despite a worsening nuclear environment,” the statement said.”
The White House also complained about blocking new transfers to Guantanamo, pointing out that this meant detainees would need to be held in the continental US, repatriated to third countries, or released. There are many who object to the idea of terror suspects being held in the continental US.
The problem of a veto
The problem with the bill is that it is a spending bill. Ultimately a bill setting forth military expenditures must be passed. There will have to be negotiation between the House and the administration unless Congress can manage to summon enough votes to override the veto
