By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
January 16, 2008
WASHINGTON - The House on Wednesday passed a new defense policy
bill that includes a pay raise for troops.
President Bush had rejected an earlier version of the legislation
because he said it would expose the Iraqi government to expensive
lawsuits.
The new bill, which passed 369-46, would let Bush grant Iraq
immunity under the provision, which otherwise guarantees that
U.S. victims of state-sponsored abuse can sue foreign governments
in court. Iraqi officials objected to the measure because they
said it would have subjected Baghdad to high-dollar payouts
in damages from the Saddam Hussein era.
The administration now supports the bill, said White House
spokesman Tony Fratto.
"We appreciate that the House moved quickly to address
the serious concerns the president had," he said.
The revised measure also makes the 3.5 percent pay increase
for troops included in the original bill retroactive to Jan.
1.
The decision to change the bill without attempting to challenge
Bush's rejection reflects the difficulty Democrats have had
in challenging the president on even minor issues. Democrats
lack the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential
veto.
Overall, the bill authorizes about $696 billion in defense
spending, including $189 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Besides the pay raises for service members, the bill's primary
purpose is to guide Pentagon policy, including setting restrictions
on the Pentagon's multibillion-dollar acquisition program.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., had sponsored the lawsuits
provision, which he said was necessary to provide justice to
American victims of terror. Republicans had embraced the legislation,
and the bill passed by overwhelming margins in both chambers.
A few weeks later, after Iraqi officials objected, Bush announced
his opposition.
In a statement, Bush said the legislation "would imperil
billions of dollars of Iraqi assets at a crucial juncture in
that nation's reconstruction efforts."
The revised bill allows Bush to waive the provision with regard
to Iraq, so long as he determines that doing so promotes Iraqi
reconstruction and that Baghdad remains a "reliable ally" in
the war on terror.
The bill also includes nonbinding language that urges the
administration to work with Baghdad to ensure compensation
of any "meritorious claims" stemming from Hussein's
regime.
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