Obama’s Rare Veto of Military Spending Bill in Fight Over Budget Caps

In October 2015 President Barack Obama made the controversial move to veto the $612 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – an important piece of military policy and spending legislation. This marked only the fifth veto of Obama’s presidency. His veto aimed to pressure Congress to lift federal budget caps and increase domestic spending.

The NDAA sets policies salaries and equipment budgets for the US military on an annual basis. But its passage had become entangled in heated budget debates between the White House and Republican-controlled Congress.

Background of Obama’s NDAA Veto

Since taking office in 2009, Obama had threatened to veto the NDAA over provisions such as restrictions on closing Guantanamo Bay. But he had never followed through until the 2016 NDAA reached his desk.

Several factors contributed to the veto:

• Strict federal spending caps enacted in 2011 on both military and domestic programs, unpopular with Democrats
• Disagreement over the best way to allocate limited resources
• Republican resistance to raising budget caps without cuts elsewhere
• The NDAA’s continued barriers to closing Guantanamo Bay

The timing coincided with another looming battle – the expiration of federal funding in December that raised the threat of a government shutdown.

Obama’s Reasoning Behind the Rare Veto

Although Obama supported the NDAA overall, he saw an opportunity to use it as leverage in the broader budget fight with Republicans. His statement on the veto cited several rationales

• The NDAA’s budgeting approach was “gimmicky” by shifting $38 billion to a war fund not subject to caps.
• It failed to properly fund national security and economic security by adhering to unrealistic budget limits.
• The Guantanamo restrictions undermine counterterrorism efforts.

Democrats backed Obama’s move as necessary to force budget negotiations. But Republicans saw it as political gamesmanship threatening defense programs and troop pay.

Failed Override Vote and Eventual Budget Deal

Congress attempted but failed to override Obama’s veto. The House voted 270-156, short of the two-thirds majority needed. The NDAA standoff increased pressure to reach a budget agreement.

Two weeks later, Obama signed a revised NDAA after a budget deal was struck. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 set new higher spending caps and provided $33 billion in sequester relief split between defense and domestic programs.

The revisions also removed restrictions on transferring Guantanamo detainees to the US. Although Obama’s veto was controversial, it succeeded in securing some priorities.

Long-Term Implications

Obama’s NDAA veto had several lasting implications:

Defense Spending Debates

• Highlighted tensions between defense hawks and budget deficit reduction efforts
• Defense versus domestic spending is a recurring theme in budget battles

Congressional Negotiations

• Showed Obama’s willingness to veto even widely supported bills in policy disputes
• Set a precedent to use veto as leverage regardless of popularity

Guantanamo Policy

• Put focus on obstacles to closing the controversial prison
• But substantial barriers remain under Trump administration

Executive Authority

• Demonstrated power of presidential veto pen
• A tool to assert policy priorities and force compromise

The NDAA veto was a notable exercise of presidential authority amid divided government. While risky, Obama’s gamble paid off by securing höher spending and progress on Guantanamo.

Obama’s Limited Use of the Veto Pen

Presidential vetoes are relatively rare due to the extensive legislative process. But some presidents have wielded the veto to shape policy.

Obama’s Vetoes:

• 5 total vetoes out of over 1,500 bills passed
• Fewer vetoes than any president since James Garfield in the 1800s
• Used narrowly on specific policy disagreements

Recent Comparisons:

• Bill Clinton (37 vetoes)
• George W. Bush (12 vetoes)
• George H.W. Bush (44 vetoes)

Obama did not veto a single bill during his first term. He became more aggressive with vetoes when Republicans took control of Congress in 2015. But he still used vetoes sparingly compared to predecessors.

Later Uses of the Veto Pen by Obama

Although Obama vetoed few bills overall, he did not hesitate to employ vetoes on major legislation in his second term:

Keystone XL Pipeline (2015)

• Vetoed bill to approve construction of the oil pipeline from Canada
• Cited environmental concerns and usurping executive review

Anti-Union Bill (2015)

• Vetoed Republican-backed legislation on union elections
• Supported labor unions against efforts seen as detrimental

9/11 Victims Bill (2016)

• Rejected bill allowing lawsuits against Saudi Arabia over 9/11 attacks
• Cited unintended consequences and diplomatic concerns

JASTA Override (2016)

• Rare veto override on the 9/11 bill passed by Congress
• First override of Obama’s presidency in his final year

These actions demonstrated Obama’s willingness to assert the power of the veto pen more frequently in his second term when not facing reelection. The NDAA budget veto set the stage for robust exercise of this authority.