[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 52 (Monday, January 1, 1996)]
[Page 2235]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Vetoing the 
National Defense Authorization Act

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. 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.