National Security Legislative Wrap-Up

The House of Representatives approved a new version of the Defense Authorization Bill, H.R. 4896, on January 16. The new version included a modification of the provision objected to by President Bush that deals with Iraqi claims for redress due to actions of Saddam Hussein. The vote was 369 to 46. The House decided not to try to override President Bush's veto of the bill. The Senate returns to session this week, and is expected to take up the Defense Authorization Bill some time this week.

Aside from primaries and caucuses, next up:
January 28 - President Bush's State of the Union address
February 4 - Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2009 budget to Congress