President Bush Veto
President Bush unexpectedly vetoed H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, on December 28, 2007.
Congressional passage of this bill earlier in December represented a major legislative victory for improving TBI care for returning service members and veterans, as the bill included many components specific to TBI care among its important wounded warrior provisions. BIAA lobbied actively this year on many of these TBI care provisions - and even helped author a few - contained in the final version of the bill, and grassroots activity on the part of TBI advocates helped ensure that these TBI provisions were included in the final bill.
President Bush had been expected to sign the bill, but due to intense last-minute pressure from the Iraqi government over certain provisions, the White Hosue issued a veto, surprising Congress and the general public.
Indications at this point are that Congressional leadership and the relevent committees involved will swiftly resolve the issues at hand and resend the bill to the President for his signature shortly after Congress reconvenes. The House of Representatives is scheduled to come back into session on January 15, and the Senate is expected to resume session on January 22.
As of right now, BIAA is holding off on doing any grassroots activity on this issue, since informal discussions with various veterans service organizations and Senate staff have indicated that grassroots advocacy may not be warranted at this particular moment. If BIAA determines that a grassroots Action Alert might be able to play a productive role as things go forward, one will will promptly be issued.
