Bush defies nine second long Senate sessions, will use pocket veto on defense bill

President Bush does not like the recently passed defense bill, one that throws a bone to one of the Democratic Party's key constituencies--the trial lawyers.

The bill exposes the still-young Iraqi government to lawsuits involving Saddam Hussein era atrocities. That's not a good way to support a fledgling government.

Since the bill was sent to the president after an adjournment, the commander-in-chief doesn't have to formally veto it--normally a bill becomes law if it is not signed or vetoed within 10 days. But Congress adjourned less than ten days ago.

That's not the way the Democrats see it. As I posted a couple of days ago, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) has been holding one-man only, seconds-long sessions to keep the Senate in session--in his and Harry Reid's mind at least--to prevent Bush from making recess appointments.

Now the Dems are attempting to use Webb's mini-soliloquies to prevent a pocket veto--which are authorized by the constitution.

Related post:

Nine second session makes mockery of Senate

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