Obama signs US$633b defense spending bill
Source: AFP |
January 4, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
US President Barack Obama has signed into law a US$633 billion defense spending bill that funds the war in Afghanistan and boosts security at US missions worldwide.
"I have approved this annual defense authorization legislation, as I have in previous years, because it authorizes essential support for service members and their families, renews vital national security programs, and helps ensure that the United States will continue to have the strongest military in the world," Obama said in a statement early yesterday after signing the measure.
Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii, said he signed the measure despite reservations.
"In a time when all public servants recognize the need to eliminate wasteful or duplicative spending, various sections in the Act limit the Defense Department's ability to direct scarce resources towards the highest priorities for our national security," the president said.
"Even though I support the vast majority of the provisions contained in this Act ... I do not agree with them all," he said, adding he did not have the constitutional authority to approve piecemeal items within the sprawling bill.
"I am empowered either to sign the bill, or reject it, as a whole," he said.
The measure was hammered out by House and Senate conferees last month after each chamber voted to approve separate versions of the bill.
It includes US$527.4 billion for the base Pentagon budget; US$88.5 billion for overseas contingency operations including the war in Afghanistan; and US$17.8 billion for national security programs in the Energy Department and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
"I have approved this annual defense authorization legislation, as I have in previous years, because it authorizes essential support for service members and their families, renews vital national security programs, and helps ensure that the United States will continue to have the strongest military in the world," Obama said in a statement early yesterday after signing the measure.
Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii, said he signed the measure despite reservations.
"In a time when all public servants recognize the need to eliminate wasteful or duplicative spending, various sections in the Act limit the Defense Department's ability to direct scarce resources towards the highest priorities for our national security," the president said.
"Even though I support the vast majority of the provisions contained in this Act ... I do not agree with them all," he said, adding he did not have the constitutional authority to approve piecemeal items within the sprawling bill.
"I am empowered either to sign the bill, or reject it, as a whole," he said.
The measure was hammered out by House and Senate conferees last month after each chamber voted to approve separate versions of the bill.
It includes US$527.4 billion for the base Pentagon budget; US$88.5 billion for overseas contingency operations including the war in Afghanistan; and US$17.8 billion for national security programs in the Energy Department and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
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