Bush Signs Defense Bill With Veterans Health Funding

President Bush on Monday signed into law a revised $696 billion fiscal year 2008 defense authorization bill (HR 4986), CongressDaily reports (CongressDaily, 1/29). The bill includes improvements in health care for veterans and a 3.5% pay increase for military personnel.

Last month, Bush vetoed an earlier version of the legislation because of concerns about provisions related to lawsuits against nations that sponsor terrorism. The revised version of the bill does not include the provisions (California Healthline, 1/23).

House Armed Services Committee Chair Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) said, "This is a great day for our troops, their families and our nation," adding, "In spite of the delay caused by the president's unexpected veto, it is gratifying to see this defense bill finally signed into law. I am very proud of this legislation, which may be the best defense bill in decades" (CongressDaily, 1/29).