News

Trump Vetoes $740 Billion Defense Bill, Congress Gears Up For Possible Override Vote

President Donald Trump vetoed a $740 billion defense policy bill on Wednesday, potentially setting the stage for Congress’ first successful override vote. The bill affirms 3% pay raises for U.S. troops and authorizes billions of funding for military programs and construction.

“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 of the National Defense Authorization Act.

He called out lawmakers’ refusal to repeal Section 230, which protects online platforms from certain liabilities, as well as the renaming of military bases honoring Confederate figures, as reasons for the veto.

“Unfortunately, the Act fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions,” he said. “It is a ‘gift’ to China and Russia.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The bill has easily passed for 59 consecutive years. This year, the House passed it 335-78 and it made its way through the Senate with an 84-13 vote.

Those margins are considered large enough to override Trump, though some Republicans who voted for the bill may opt not to go against the president’s wishes. Two-thirds of Congress would have to vote for the bill in order to override the veto. The House has scheduled a vote for Monday, and it would then go to Senate on Tuesday.

Both Democrats and Republicans have urged lawmakers to ensure the NDAA passes.

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) encouraged Congress to “use another legislative vehicle to repeal Section 230.”

“The NDAA has become law every year for 59 years straight because it’s absolutely vital to our national security and our troops,” Inhofe said Wednesday. “This year must not be an exception.”

House Armed Services Chair Adam Smith (D-Washington) similarly underscored the need for the NDAA, though he also directly attacked Trump in his criticism.

“By choosing to veto the NDAA, President Trump has made it clear that does not care about the needs of our military personnel and their families,” he said. “I remain confident that Congress will override this harmful veto.”

Katherine Huggins

Share
Published by
Katherine Huggins

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Veterans March Against Trump In Minnesota

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ng5OC-49f6o A crowd containing many veterans protested against the policies of President Donald Trump in Edina, Minnesota,…

11 hours ago

VIDEO: Elon Musk’s Tesla Bot Attacked With Liquid Latex By Protesters In London: ‘Nazi Robot’

https://youtu.be/cwEtGdI-6TQ Two environmental activists poured orange liquid latex over Elon Musk’s Tesla Optimus robot at…

11 hours ago

Trump Administration’s Foreign Aid Funding Freeze Creates Confusion

Staff working on foreign aid projects affected by the Trump administration's funding freeze have been…

12 hours ago

After Department Of Education Lays Off 50% Of Workforce, Secretary Linda McMahon Vows More Upheaval

The U.S. Department of Education announced it had initiated mass layoffs this week, cutting down…

13 hours ago

Elon Musk Wants To Privatize Post Service & Amtrak: ‘We Should Privatize Anything We Reasonably Can’

During a virtual appearance at a Morgan Stanley technology conference on Wednesday, Elon Musk criticized…

1 day ago

VIDEO: Veteran Escorted Out Of GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards’ Town Hall For Protesting Trump’s Budget Cuts For Vets

https://youtu.be/8Ps9DIuo8Pg A man who identified himself as a veteran was escorted out Republican Rep. Chuck…

2 days ago