WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following his vote to send an important defense policy bill to the White House, U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today said the nation’s security interests would be best served if President Obama abandoned his threat to veto the bipartisan legislation.

 

Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on Defense, voted in favor of a conference report on FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act.  The authorization bill was approved 70-27, which indicates support sufficient to override a Presidential veto.

 

“The Senate and House have acted responsibly to authorize funding for equipment and training for our nation’s Armed Forces, just as they have for more than 50 consecutive years.  This defense authorization measure, along with our Defense Appropriations Bill, is critical for protecting our national interests.  It should not be vetoed," Cochran said.

 

“At a time of evolving threats and increasing global unrest, the President’s veto threat and the Democratic filibuster of the necessary appropriations to support our men and women in uniform are unacceptable.  Debating and passing appropriations bills to fund our military and our non-defense priorities is the best way to ensure the thoughtful, responsible use of taxpayer money,” he said.

 

Cochran has been critical of ongoing filibusters of FY2016 appropriations bills approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, most with large bipartisan majorities.  The first such filibuster was against the FY2016 Defense Appropriations Bill in June, followed by the filibuster of the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill.

 

The House on Oct. 1 voted to pass the defense policy bill 270-156, 20 votes shy of the number needed to override a Presidential veto.