House Of Representatives Votes To Override Trump’s Veto Of Defense Bill

House of Representatives overrode President Trump’s veto of the annual defense policy bill on Monday night. Including this year’s defense bill, Trump has issued nine vetoes during his presidency, but this is likely to be the first bill successfully overridden by the Congress.

House lawmakers voted Monday to override Trump’s rejection of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which passed both the Senate and the House with more than the two-thirds majority needed to overcome a veto. 

“The FY21 NDAA passed with overwhelming, veto-proof support in both the House and Senate, and I remain confident that Congress will override this harmful veto,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith said in a statement after Trump vetoed the measure on Wednesday. “While the president may not care about our service members and their families, Congress still places an immense value on their service and sacrifice.”

The FY21 NDAA is a bill that authorizes funding for jobs, military bases and weapons manufacturers that affect nearly every congressional district and state. Troops would lose out on a host of special pay and bonuses without passage of the NDAA.

Regarding the NDAA, Trump has given many explanations for his opposition including saying the bill’s defense is weak on China. He also lashed out at provisions designed to put roadblocks over his order to withdraw troops from Afghanistan and Germany.  

“My administration has taken strong actions to help keep our nation safe and support our service members. I will not approve this bill, which would put the interests of the Washington, D.C., establishment over those of the American people,” Trump said last week in his veto message to Congress. He also called the NDAA a “gift” to China and Russia.

Lawmakers in both parties urged Trump to not veto the NDAA. They hoped a strong enough bipartisan vote would dissuade Trump from vetoing the bill, which passed the House in a 335-78 vote, followed by an 84-13 vote in the Senate.

The deadline for Congress to override the veto is noon on Jan. 3. This is when the 117th Congress starts. If lawmakers fail to override the veto before then, the new Congress would need to start from scratch on the bill.

The Senate is planning to start the process of overriding the veto this week. 

Article by Mia Perlman