White House threatens veto of defense policy bill
White House threatens veto of defense bill over provisions on Guantanamo, missile defense
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is threatening a veto of the House version of the defense policy bill over limits it places on President Barack Obama's authority to handle terror suspects at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In a statement Tuesday, the Office of Management and Budget also complained about restrictions on the president's ability to implement a nuclear reduction treaty with Russia and the requirement that the military construct a missile defense site on the East Coast.
The administration also complained that the bill rejects the Pentagon's cost-saving efforts to close domestic military bases and raise enrollment fees for health care.
The House is expected to begin debate on the bill on Wednesday and pass it by week's end.
