National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (H.R.4986) was a bill in the 110th Congress "to amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to extend and improve the Children's Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.” (Official title)

Current status


Bill summary

 * Allows the President to grant immunity to Iraq for certain cases brought in U.S. courts for money damages due to state sponsored terrorism if the immunity is deemed to be in the national security interest of the U.S. and it will promote the reconstruction of Iraq (Sec. 1083).


 * Increases the basic monthly pay for members of the uniformed services by 3.5 percent starting January 1, 2008 (Sec. 601).


 * Permits veterans who are 100 percent disabled to receive all of both their retirement pay and their disability pay (Sec. 642).


 * Provides that drugs prescribed under the TRICARE pharmaceutical program will be treated as a part of the Department of Defense procurement, and that these drugs are then subject to the pricing restrictions applicable to the procurement of drugs by federal agencies (Sec. 703).


 * Establishes the National Security Personnel System as a human resources management system for the Department of Defense, and requires that this system allows employees to practice collective bargaining through labor organizations of their own choosing (Sec. 1106).


 * Provides that the Inspector General of the Department of Defense and Inspectors General for Iraq Reconstruction and Afghanistan Reconstruction shall develop plans for auditing contracts made by the Department of Defense and other federal agencies (Sec. 842).


 * Authorizes $187.14 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan operations.

Key votes






















On its 2007 House scorecard, National Journal rated a no vote in roll call vote 340 as "C-3" (Conservative-3). Votes were rated either conservative or liberal and weighted 1 to 3. The scorecard gave the following description:"Limit debate on a measure to provide more due process rights to detainees of the U.S. government. September 19. (56-43; 60 votes required to invoke cloture)"



On its 2007 House scorecard, National Journal rated a no vote in roll call vote 341 as "C-3" (Conservative-3). Votes were rated either conservative or liberal and weighted 1 to 3. The scorecard gave the following description:"Require longer rest periods for U.S. troops sent to war. September 19. (56-44; 60 votes required because of a unanimous consent agreement)"



On its 2007 House scorecard, National Journal rated a no vote in roll call vote 344 as "C-2" (Conservative-2). Votes were rated either conservative or liberal and weighted 1 to 3. The scorecard gave the following description:"Condemn personal attacks on Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. commander in Iraq. September 20. (72-25; 60 votes required because of a unanimous consent agreement)"



On its 2007 House scorecard, National Journal rated a no vote in roll call vote 345 as "C-2" (Conservative-2). Votes were rated either conservative or liberal and weighted 1 to 3. The scorecard gave the following description:"Require U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraq within 90 days. September 20. (28-70; 60 votes required because of a unanimous consent agreement)"



<USvoteinfo year="2007" chamber="house" rollcall="348" />

<USvoteinfo year="2007" chamber="house" rollcall="349" />


 * Vote to pass a bill that sets authorization limits for Defense appropriations in fiscal year 2008 at $688.60 billion.

<USvoteinfo year="2008" chamber="senate" rollcall="1" />

<USvoteinfo year="2007" chamber="senate" rollcall="433" />

<USvoteinfo year="2007" chamber="senate" rollcall="457" />

Articles and resources

 * The New York Times' article In Surprise Step, Bush Is Vetoing a Military Bill 29 Dec 2007.
 * The White House's reason for the veto Memorandum of Disapproval 28 Dec 2007.
 * The New York Time's article Bush Renews Call for Congress to Pass Iraq Financing Bill With No Strings 30 Nov 2007.
 * The New York Time's article House Panel Considers Cuts for Missile Defense 10 May 2007.