    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 28, 1995]
    [Pages 1930-1931]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Supplemental
    Legislation To Increase Military Pay and Housing Allowances
    December 28, 1995

    Sir:
        Today I returned to Congress without my approval H.R. 1530, the
    National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1996, which includes
    authority for the annual military pay raise. I consider passage of the
    annual military pay raise to be of crucial importance. Accordingly, I
    ask Congress to consider the enclosed FY 1996 supplemental language
    request that would authorize a 2.4 percent pay raise and other allowance
    increases.
        I vetoed H.R. 1530 Act because it would restrict my Administration's
    ability to carry out national security policy and would substantially
    interfere with the implementation of key national defense programs.
    Moreover, certain provisions in the Act raised serious constitutional
    issues by restricting my authority to conduct foreign affairs and to act
    as Commander in Chief.
        Nevertheless, I believe that our men and women in uniform should not
    be harmed as we work to obtain a bill that I can support.

    [[Page 1931]]

    Therefore, I ask the Congress to enact the supplemental language to
    provide the increases in military pay and housing allowances, effective
    January 1, 1996, that both Congress and I fully support. If this
    legislation is not enacted, our military personnel will receive a 2.0
    percent raise instead of a needed 2.4 percent raise. The legislation is
    also required to provide an additional increase in the Basic Allowance
    for Quarters that will help improve the quality of life of our service
    members and their families.
        Speedy enactment of this legislation is imperative at a time when
    our military personnel are working under challenging conditions to help
    implement the peace agreement in Bosnia. I urge Congress to enact this
    legislation as quickly as possible.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: This letter was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary but was not issued as a White House press release.