National Security Legislative Wrap-up

On January 28, President Bush finally signed the Defense Authorization bill, H.R. 4896. However, when he did so, he issued a "signing statement" which indicated that he feels free to ignore four provisions in the bill, including one barring permanent bases in Iraq. The action implicitly confirmed the Bush administration's plans for a long-term U.S. presence in the country. The Bush administration presented its Fiscal Year 2009 budget to the Congress today. I’ll include the details as they become available.

KEY NATIONAL SECURITY BILLS TO BE CONSIDERED IN 2008

Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution
Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill
Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Appropriations bill
Fiscal Year 2009 Energy and Water Appropriations bill
Fiscal Year 2009 State, Foreign Operations Appropriations bill
Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill

Note: There is widespread speculation that Congress will not pass many or any of the Fiscal Year 2009 Appropriations bills, both because of a short legislative season and because majority Democrats will hope to produce better bills signed by a Democratic President in 2009.