President Holding Defense Hostage, Says Noem

Representative Kristi Noem today strongly denounced President Obama's veto of H.R.1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is an annual legislative item that sets the nation's defense priorities. Since an NDAA was first passed more than 50 years ago, the legislation has been vetoed only four times; today marks the fifth.

"Taking our national defense hostage and using that as leverage to increase government spending is a dangerous and unprecedented move to make," said Noem. "Every other NDAA veto has been issued over defense policy decisions. This is the first time a Commander in Chief has chosen to sacrifice national security for other reasons. The decision is unacceptable."

The 2016 NDAA passed the U.S. House of Representatives on May 15 by a margin of 269-151, with broadly bipartisan support. The legislation includes a 1.3 percent pay raise for troops, improves access to mental health care for veterans, offers greater protections against sexual assault, and provides necessary resources in the fight against ISIL, Russian aggression, and cyber threats.

"The NDAA gives our troops the resources and authorizations they need to keep this country safe," said Noem. "More specifically, this legislation increases pay for our troops and their families. It enhances the military retirement system and makes much-needed improvements to the way mental health care is handled for veterans. It strengthens our cyber defenses, reinforces our mission to defeat ISIL, and enables us to counter Russian aggression. The NDAA accomplishes all of this while reflecting Congress's balanced budget plan. It's a strong and broadly bipartisan piece of legislation. I will work to gain the votes necessary to override this dangerous veto."

The House of Representatives is currently scheduled to vote on a veto override on November 5.

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