Barack Obama vetoes Republican-crafted defense spending bill

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Republicans have vowed to override the veto, only the fifth of Obama's presidency, which would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers
The House Democratic leader insisted the House will sustain the veto; so did a spokesman for Obama this afternoon, saying he was 'very' confident
Obama vetoed the sweeping $612 billion defense bill because of the way it uses money meant for war spending to avoid the automatic budget cuts to military programs known as 'sequestration'

By Reuters and Francesca Chambers, White House Correspondent For Dailymail.com

Published: 16:20 EST, 22 October 2015 | Updated: 17:37 EST, 22 October 2015

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President Barack Obama vetoed a sweeping $612 billion defense bill today.

He returned the measure to the Republican-controlled Congress because of the way it uses money meant for war spending to avoid the automatic budget cuts to military programs known as 'sequestration.'

'I'm going to be sending it back to Congress and my message to them is very simple: "'Let's do this right,'' ' Obama told reporters from the Oval Office in a rare veto signing ceremony.

He said, 'We're in the midst of budget discussions. Let's have a budget that properly funds our national security as well as economic security.'

President Barack Obama vetoed a sweeping $612 billion defense bill today. He returned the measure to the Republican-controlled Congress because of the way it uses money meant for war spending to avoid the automatic budget cuts to military programs known as 'sequestration'

Republicans have vowed to override the veto, only the fifth of Obama's presidency, which would require two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate

Obama also said he disagreed with provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have limited his ability to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center before he leaves office in January 2017.

'Guantanamo is one of the premier mechanisms for jihadists to recruit,' said. 'It's time for us to close it. It's outdated, it's expensive, it's been there for years. We can do better in terms of keeping Americans safe while making sure that we are consistent with our values.'

Closing the controversial military prison camp was a main promise of Obama's first presidential campaign, in 2008.

Obama and many of his fellow Democrats want a broader budget deal that would address mandatory cuts in domestic spending rather than only providing more funds for the Pentagon through what they're calling a budgetary 'gimmick.'

Republicans argue that the military should be spared many of the so-called sequestration budget cuts to ensure national security.

They accuse Democrats, however, of using the issue to camouflage a desire for irresponsible domestic spending.

'By placing domestic politics ahead of our troops, President Obama has put America's national security at risk,' John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said in a statement.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said, 'a Commander in Chief who vetoes the defense authorization bill -- when our country faces growing threats and our military is being hollowed out -- has completely lost his way.'

'I fear President Obama has completely lost touch with the dangers we face as a nation. He will go down in history as one of the poorest Commanders in Chief we’ve ever had,' Graham, who is also a candidate for president, said this afternoon.

GOP Senator Tom Cotton said the veto was 'unbecoming of a Commander in Chief.'

Cotton noted that he had just returned from a trip to visit American forces in the Middle East.

'Our troops are watching and they deserve to know they have a Commander-in-Chief who has their back.'

'President Obama should reverse this disastrous course and sign the Defense Authorization Act. Then we can have whatever debate he wants about defense spending,' he said. 'But to gratuitously veto this bill for no other reason than to get more political leverage the President sends a deeply harmful message to our troops overseas.'

'I'm going to be sending it back to Congress and my message to them is very simple: "'Let's do this right,'' ' Obama told reporters from the Oval Office in a rare veto signing ceremony

Republicans have vowed to override the veto, only the fifth of Obama's presidency, which would require two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate.

Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader, insists the House will sustain it.

So did a spokesman for Obama at a briefing for reporters this afternoon at the White House, before the veto.

White House spokesman Eric Schultz, said he was 'very' confident the president would come out on top.

Under congressional rules, the House will consider the veto before the Senate.

A vote has been scheduled for Nov. 5.

Democrats insisted a better NDAA would pass easily if the veto is sustained.

'Hopefully we can work together to pass a more balanced and responsible NDAA that truly provides our troops with the resources and budget stability they need,' said Senator Jack Reed, the top Senate Armed Services Committee Democrat.