(Army) Bonus payments frozen (AT)

[katty]

Bonus payments frozen

more: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/army_bonuses_halted_080102w/

By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 3, 2008 7:47:39 EST

The Army has temporarily halted bonus payments for more than 20 enlistment, re-enlistment and service extension programs pending enactment of authorizing legislation.

President Bush, to the surprise of Congress and the Defense Department, vetoed the fiscal 2008 Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 29 after months bargaining with House and Senate leaders.

In announcing the pocket veto, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said the president objected to a single provision of the legislation that would delay the reconstruction of Iraq, and expose the Iraqi government to unwarranted law suits in U.S. courts.

If enacted as currently written, the legislation would authorize $696.3 billion in defense spending during 2008, including $1 billion for Army accession and retention bonuses.

Until a new version of the legislation is enacted, all new bonus agreements signed on, or after, Jan. 1 must include an addendum that stipulates the soldier’s eligibility for a future bonus.

[Squatch]

1. Support the Troops, Hooah!

Damn, I feel like standing up and singing the God Bless the Pledge of Allegiance Anthem.

[BOSSHOG]

2. By golly, any day now

limbaugh and hannity and the rest of the chickenhawk noise machine will take bush to the woodshed for not supporting the troops. He supported the troops before he didn't. And conseratives have sold the lemmings on the notion that they know how to manage money??

[sjdnb]

3. Yet, looks like the contractors are still rakin it in ....

a scan of Google news shows ...

Lockheed Martin awarded $141 million missile system contract with ...
CNNMoney.com - 4 hours ago

Army hands Raytheon $18M more for detection systems Mass High Tech ... Bizjournals.com

Boeing Gets $1.3B Deal for C-17 Fleet Houston Chronicle

and, many more.

The Bush Admin response:

Bush Defense Authorization Veto Could Hamper Contracting Reforms
Jan 3, 2008
John M. Doyle/Aerospace Daily & Defense Report

Pathetic!

[Jim__]

4. I thought bush could not pocket veto legislation across Christmas because ...

... Congress stayed in session. My understanding ( I think Senator Kerry wrote an article on this) is that the pocket veto is only effective if Congress adjourns. If he didn't sign the bill and congress is in session, the bill becomes law.

This may be another Constitutional fight. here's a link

[classysassy]

5. The brainwashed military

still love their awol cic.