Alex Mooney: “Last Thursday, President Obama used his veto power for the fifth time since taking office. This time, it was to reject…”

“Last Thursday, President Obama used his veto power for the fifth time since taking office. This time, it was to reject the $612 billion defense authorization bill: H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act. President Obama vetoed the defense bill on the same day that an American was killed in Iraq. With so much uncertainty and conflict around the world, I would have expected our President to have understood the importance of supporting this bipartisan defense bill. This veto is inexcusable. Not only is this a blatant show of disrespect for our troops, but it is disrespect for our Nation. The National Defense Authorization Act also contains key provisions that will greatly benefit my State of West Virginia. The provisions include the drug interdiction and counterdrug program, the National Guard State Partnership Program, and $3.9 million in funding for the Charleston, West Virginia, Air National Guard Base. It is shortsighted and wrong that the President refused to sign this critical defense bill. The bill gives our troops essential resources, but President Obama vetoed it because he wants concessions in other areas of government spending. It is time to stop playing politics with our military. I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to join together to override this veto. Mr.…”