Congress passed legislation that would include provisions of the Military Eye Trauma Treatment Act. But, at press time, the legislation had stalled on the desk of President Bush.
The provisions of the Military Eye Trauma Treatment Act would establish a
The
The measure would also create a joint program between the DOD and the VA for service members and veterans affected by visual dysfunction related to traumatic brain injury (TBI). More than half of those treated at
These provisions were folded into the comprehensive 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a multitude of defense provisions and military appropriations, such as increases in service member pay and bonuses, among many others. Congress approved this legislation on December 14 and sent it to the White House.
But, on December 28, President Bush exercised a pocket veto by refusing to sign the legislation. He disagreed with language in the act about funding issues for the rebuilding of
President Bush vowed to sign the bill immediately once this disagreement has been resolved.