[ad_1]
Trump had previously threatened to veto the defense bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, because it does not include a repeal of Section 230, a law that protects Internet companies from liability for what they post on. their websites by them or third parties. .
This year’s bill includes provisions to limit the amount of money Trump can move through his border wall and another that would require the military to rename bases that were named after Confederate figures.
Trump’s position on the bill drastically divided Republican lawmakers, forcing them to choose between loyalty to the president and legislation that sets out defense policy for the country, a choice they will now have to make again.
With 430 full members in the House, supporters of the bill will need 288 votes to override the president’s veto. Thirty-seven Democrats voted against the bill when it came to the floor on Dec. 8, although it is unclear at this time if some could change their votes to try to overcome the veto.
If the veto is upheld in the House, no vote will be needed in the Senate. But if it is overruled in the House, senators will return to Washington at noon Tuesday to begin processing the override vote.
Leadership advisers for each party said Wednesday there are many possible options for how the Senate action might unfold, making it difficult to predict exactly how long it will take. With the full cooperation of 100 senators, they could go straight to an override vote on Tuesday and then leave the city again. However, the process could be further complicated if Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky obstructs the nullification measure, which he has hinted it could do.
If Paul chooses to prolong the process as long as possible under the rules, that vote to overcome the filibuster will take place on Thursday and a final vote on overriding the veto could possibly take place later on Thursday or Friday.
The veto provokes a quick reprimand
“Unfortunately,” the president wrote in his veto to Congress, “the law does not include critical national security measures, includes provisions that do not respect our veterans and the history of our armed forces, and contradicts my administration’s efforts to to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions. It is a ‘gift’ to China and Russia. “
Trump’s veto prompted an immediate reprimand from Republican Senator Jim Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who said the defense bill should become law.
The Oklahoma Republican went on to say that the defense bill “consolidates all the remarkable achievements our military has made thanks to the leadership of @ realDonaldTrump,” adding: “I hope all my colleagues in Congress will join me in making sure that our troops have the resources and equipment they need to defend this nation. “
Democratic Senator Mark Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said Trump’s veto “represents a serious threat to the national security of the United States.”
“I hope to overturn the president’s unsuccessful and ridiculous attempt to undermine our national security for his changing reason for his decision to veto, including a provision to rename bases in honor of Confederate military leaders, a provision that many in himself The president’s party have supported, “the Virginia Democrat said in a statement.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, criticized Trump’s veto as “an act of astonishing recklessness.”
“At a time when our country was the target of a massive cyberattack, it is particularly difficult to understand the reasoning behind the president’s irresponsibility,” the California Democrat said in a statement.
The $ 740 billion bill also includes pay increases for American soldiers, equipment upgrades and provisions to require more scrutiny before troops withdraw from Germany or Afghanistan.
Trump highlighted Section 230 in his message, calling it “a very dangerous national security risk.”
He also went after the requirements to change the names of military installations with names of Confederate soldiers and slave owners.
“Throughout American history, these places have taken on meaning for American history and for those who helped write it that far transcends their namesakes,” Trump said. “My Administration respects the legacy of the millions of American servicemen and women who have served with honor in these military bases and who, from these places, have fought, bled and died for their country. From these facilities, we have won two World Wars. I have been clear in my opposition to politically motivated attempts like this to erase history and dishonor the immense progress our country has fought for in realizing our founding principles, “the message reads.
The president also said the act “directly contradicts the foreign policy of my administration, particularly my efforts to bring our troops home. I am opposed to endless wars, as is the American public.”
While Trump’s earlier veto threats drew strong and swift bipartisan pushback from lawmakers who have argued that he is using leverage over the troops to settle personal scores, he has received vocal support from some allies.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, had backed the president in his push to eliminate Section 230.
“I support President @ realDonaldTrump’s insistence that the repeal of Section 230 be part of the defense authorization bill,” he wrote in a thread of three tweets. “Big Tech is the only industry in America that cannot be sued for its business practices and is not significantly regulated. This must come to an end.”
The conservative House Freedom Caucus announced before the House vote that its members would side with Trump in opposing the legislation and was pressuring other members of the Republican Party to side with Trump as well.
This story has been updated with additional developments.
Lauren Fox contributed to this story.
[ad_2]
