The Senate on Friday violated Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, the $ 740 billion defense policy bill. This veto, in the waning days of mr. Trump’s presidency was the first time Congress has voted to dominate him.
The final vote was 81 to 13, with a two-thirds vote needed to reverse the veto. The bill was passed 84-13 in the Senate earlier this month, and the House has already voted to replace Trump’s veto.
Mr. Trump tweeted after the vote that the Republicans of the Senate “missed a great opportunity to get rid of section 230”, one of the sections of the bill against which he objected. Mr. Trump wanted to repeal the shield for liability on social media, but several members of Congress, including Republicans, argued that repealing Article 230 of the Communications Decency Act is not relevant to national security.
Mr. Trump also vetoed the NDAA because of a provision on renaming bases honoring confederate officials.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has voted in favor of repealing Article 230 of a bill that would increase direct payments to Americans from $ 600 to $ 2,000. McConnell has repeatedly voiced his opposition to the increase in direct payments, which was made by Mr. Trump and some Republicans are supported, and so bound by a repeal of Article 230, knowing that the addition of a controversial rider would prevent its passage.
Mr. Trump vetoed nine bills during his presidency, but nothing was dominated. If successful, it will be the first time one of his vetoes has been overturned. The NDAA is a critical defense bill that has been passed every year for decades, and so the veto will not necessarily be a controversial vote for Republicans.
Republicans in Congress are mostly still at odds with the president, and some refuse to acknowledge the election of President Joe Biden’s victory. Several House Republics and at least one senator, GOP Senator Josh Hawley, are expected to contest the outcome of the election when Congress convenes to vote on the January 6 election ballot.
A few Republicans criticized their colleagues for being willing to undermine the election process and challenge a properly elected president.
“Let’s be clear what’s going on here: we have a bunch of ambitious politicians who think there’s a quick way to use the president’s populist base without damaging real long-term damage,” Republican Senator Ben Sasse said in a statement. wrote a post on Facebook. on Thursday. “But they are wrong – and this issue is bigger than anyone’s personal ambitions. Adults are not aiming a loaded gun at the heart of legitimate self-government.”