White House says no veto of defense bill
By DONNA CASSATA
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says senior officials will not recommend that President Barack Obama veto the defense bill awaiting passage in Congress.
A White House statement says changes by congressional negotiators would not challenge or restrict the president's ability to collect intelligence or incapacitate terrorists.
The White House had threatened a veto over provisions requiring military custody of suspected terrorists linked to al-Qaida.
The $662 billion defense bill would authorize money for military personnel, weapons systems, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and national security programs in the Energy Department. The House and Senate are expected to pass the measure Wednesday.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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