White House Says No Veto Of Defense Bill [View all]

[brentspeak]

http://www.salon.com/2011/12/14/white_house_says_no_veto_of_defense_bill/

Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 2:54 AM Eastern Standard Time

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Wednesday abandoned its threat that President Barack Obama would veto a defense bill over provisions on how to handle suspected terrorists as Congress raced to finish the legislation.

Press secretary Jay Carney said last-minute changes that Obama and his national security team sought produced legislation that “does not challenge the president’s ability to collect intelligence, incapacitate dangerous terrorists and protect the American people.”

Based on the modifications, “the president’s senior advisers will not recommend a veto,” the White House said.

The statement came just moments after the House wrapped up debate on the $662 billion bill that would authorize money for military personnel, weapons systems, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and national security programs in the Energy Department in the budget year that began Oct. 1.

Translation: The White House was actually never going to veto the bill, and the "modifications" are cosmetic. Business -- and B.S. -- as usual.