He’s a millionaire who rakes in nearly half-a-million dollars a year and has all his living expenses paid for.
But President Barack Obama has announced he’s going to veto a defense bill that would give a tiny 1.3 percent pay raise to our soldiers.
As president, Obama commands a salary of $477,000 a year (plus plenty of perks) and is worth an estimated $7 million — a number that is certain to skyrocket once he leaves office.
A starting private in the Army makes about $18,000 a year.
But Obama apparently isn’t as interested in our troops’ pay, calling the bipartisan defense bill heading to his desk a “funding gimmick.”
The White House says Obama will veto a sweeping $612 billion defense policy bill Thursday afternoon, citing objections over how the measure is funded.
It’s the first time Obama has rejected the measure. Presidents have signed the bipartisan bill into law annually for more than 50 years.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the president’s desire to veto the bill is “outrageous” in the light of national security threats.
“I wish I could say it surprised me that President Obama might — for the sake of unrelated partisan games — actually contemplate vetoing a bipartisan defense bill that contains the level of funding authorization he asked for,” McConnell said on the Senate floor. “I’m calling on him not to, especially in times like these.”
Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said it was a good bill. He cited 60 provisions aimed at helping streamline defense acquisitions. He said other parts of the bill would help the Defense Department keep pace with changing technology, combat cyberattacks and provides key funding for the war in Afghanistan, the fight against Islamic State militants and Ukraine forces fighting Russian-backed rebels.
Among other things, this year’s bill provides:
—a 1.3 percent pay increase to service members and a new retirement option for troops;
—authorizes lethal assistance to Ukraine forces fighting Russian-backed rebels;
—extends the ban on torture to the CIA;
—authorizes the president’s request of $715 million to help Iraqi forces fight Islamic State militants;
—authorizes $600 million for the beleaguered U.S.-led program to train and equip moderate elements of the Syrian opposition force, but requires the defense secretary to get congressional approval each time he wants to use money for the program;
—maintains restrictions on transferring terror suspects out of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba., hampering Obama’s effort to close the facility; and
—directs the defense secretary to issue a policy to empower individual post commanders to decide whether members of the armed forces can carry government-issued or personal fire arms at military installations, reserve centers and recruiting centers. This provision follows shootings in Little Rock, Arkansas; Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Fort Hood, Texas.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
Of course he wants to veto a small raise for our American vets because he wants to spend a lot more than that on terrorist he is bringing into our country.
Amen to that brother.
And Illegal Aliens.
I guess Obama does not want to fight Isis after all. He should in the first place stand behind the people who fight for freedom. The US Army and Navy after all should not these people get a decent salary especially if you see what he is making. It is really shameful.
IT will always do the exact opposite of what would be in our best interests.
Once again President Obama sides with America’s enemies. Hopefully our next president will be on America’s side. Inauguration Day 2017 can’t arrive soon enough.
Nope, the Prez’ chose to deny this cause…—directs the defense secretary to issue a policy to empower individual post commanders to decide whether members of the armed forces can carry government-issued or personal fire arms at military installations, reserve centers and recruiting centers. Because of “GUNS”! That anyone who has or carries a “GUN” must be a “Terrorist” because they choose to defend themselves from criminals or drug-induced mental cases. Everyone knows that the cops, law enforcement, Federal Marshalls, Secret Service will be there to save you, like the Prez”. He’ll have protection until the day he dies. Will WE?
Until the day he dies cannot come soon enough. And perhaps we will stop having to view his wife showing off her huge backside.
Is there no one to rid us of this skinny, obnoxious slug?
who, we don’t have Kris Kyle and no one else seems to have the balls. What a nation of spineless wimps we’ve become.
A snake ,with a smile on his face and venom on his tongue, A kiss ass Hillary to follow in his footsteps.
If he vetos then congress should say “The hell with you, we pass it anyway.” Kick a bunch of communist shins and get them to vote for America and not the party.
If it is truly a bipartisan bill, then you are “right on” with what you say, and the Congress can vote to override a veto, which is exactly what they should do. But will they? Or will they “tuck their tails” and give in?? I agree that there are way too many spineless members sitting in Congress. They have been elected to do the bidding of the American people (as was the President), but they apparently have all forgotten that little detail. Can someone please enlighten Congress as to why they are there? —
no because the senate does not have enough republicans to impeach even if the house does
Impeachment, impeachment , impeachment
I agree!!! I can’t bear to he thought of paying LoBama and Michelle for the rest I’d their lives for ruining our country, our economy, and our reputation with the rest of the world! SHAME on our Congress, our Senate and all the mindless individuals who still support this loser!
I believe the military should get their partly raise of 1.3%. A private makes $18K a year, plus some perks, compared to what
I made in the Navy back then, that private is doing much better, unless he/she is married. We got our meals back then, living
quarters, medical care, at sea allowance, once could still save few bucks back then, for liberty. What about the seniors, over
65, they got nothing, have not received a cost of living increase for three years, under Obama. Yes, there is inflation, just go out
and buy something, prices are up except for energy for now. Its the way the Govt. figures inflation, that drives inflation down,
the cost of living index, is manipulated to keep inflation low, or non existent! I do believe that the Military should get their raise,
they deserve it, maybe those on Social Security, will get luck next year.
I ALREADY MODERATED IT FROM WHAT I FEEL
b.o. is Importing at the very Least 80,000 men to AMERICA from Syria. Train Load of Children from Central AMERICA. What did that CO$T AMERICA.
& b.o. has the Nerve to Deny our Military a Pay Raise.
Worst President EVER.
Obama needs the money for all the illegals in the U.S. that draw Social Security that U an I paid our good money into for years. He also needs the money to pay for his Golf , 290 rounds so far and all the trips he takes to Martha’s Vinyard , Hawaii, Africa, wish he would stay there . It costs $285,000per hour to galavant all around raising money for Democrats. If Clinton gets elected were going to be 10 times worse off than we are now!!! Trump will clean up all Obamas BS
HE DEFINITELY is the worst leader of any country on the face of the earth! Only exception would be Hitler!
Whatever did Obama do with his $15/hr minimum wage campaign? That calculates to $30,000 per year versus the $18,000 pay thatThe military personnel get now.
Some hypocrisy here, but why change now? Idiot!
I immigrated to this country LEGALLY, followed the law of this land, became a citizen and worked hard until I couldn’t. Now I’m suppose to accept people and give them “free” schooling, social security, medical etc. all because they immigrated here ILLEGALY? Good is now evil and evil is now good.
It is frigthening to listen on C-SPAN how many people call in supporting him & their level of total ignorance. Influence everyone around you to vote against this garbage in the future. Teach them how to recognize evil no matter how it is packaged.
Too bad the unions are gone, jimmy hoffa would have a ball with organizing the troops against this incapable leadership…get himj out of office please
You just don’t get it, do you. It is now and has always been Obama’s plan to destroy America and our way of life, and he is doing it with absolute perfection. The media is ignorantly in love with him and supporting him, the Democrats are blindly following him like a bunch of lemmings, the nearly 50 percent of the population who are on welfare, food stamps and every other kind of Socialist plan think he’s the best thing since sliced bread, ISIS, the Iranians, Hezbolla, Taliban, Alkaida (I know, I spelled it wrong), and all the other terrorists have the benefit of the United States military’s Commander in Chief being in their pocket, tripping all over himself, trying to appease them. People…it’s was his plan from the beginning and he’s carrying it out like clockwork because the Republican majority in the House and the Senate, the U.S. Attorney General, and the U.S. Supreme Court do not have the balls to impeach him or charge him with treason, which he is blatantly guilty of.
What is wrong with us real Americans? This traitor should have been thrown out of office or executed for treason years ago. But for some reason we just let him go on and on. Makes me wonder.
These malcontents are far better off today than they were seven years ago. And the nation is much better protected, too. Sounds like racial bigotry has seized control of their brains, if they’re not already sitting where they think. Ignorance appears in many disguises!