The Senate on Thursday passed a gigantic defense policy bill that prompted a veto threat from President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump says he would feel comfortable sending his son and grandchildren to school in person. Cafeteria worker on White House grounds tests positive for COVID-19: Reports Republicans will begin revealing the coronavirus package Thursday MORE about its inclusion of a plan to rename bases named after Confederate figures.
The Senate voted 86-14 on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). That is above the two-thirds majority it would take to override a potential veto, although senators may turn their votes on a possible override.
The Senate vote comes days after the House passed its version of the annual NDAA. The two chambers will now have to reconcile their bills and come up with a final agreement, but with both versions containing plans to rename the bases, it will probably be difficult to keep the issue out of a final agreement.
The Senate bill includes broad outlines for Pentagon policy initiatives and allocates a total of $ 740.5 billion, including $ 636.4 billion for the Pentagon’s base budget, $ 25.9 billion for national security programs within the Department of Energy and $ 69 billion for the Contingency Operations Abroad account, a war fund that is not subject to budget limits.
But the language about renaming the Confederate-named bases quickly emerged as a flashpoint after protests over racial injustice put a national focus on persistent tributes to the Confederacy, including statues and military installations.
The Senate bill would form a commission to develop a plan to rename the bases. The Secretary of Defense would then “implement the plan presented by the commission … and remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America … or anyone who voluntarily served with the United States Confederation of All Defense Department Assets ”within three years of the law’s enactment.
The language was agreed to in the Senate Armed Services Committee by a voice vote, but raised the threat of a Trump veto.
“I will veto the Defense Authorization Bill if the Elizabeth” Pocahontas “Warren Amendment (of all people!), Which will lead to the name change (plus other bad things!) From Fort Bragg, Fort Robert E Lee and many other military personnel The bases from which we won two world wars are on the bill! “Trump tweeted earlier this month.
Senate Republicans have urged Trump to withdraw from his veto threat, arguing that it is time for the country to reconsider who it chooses to commemorate.
“Well, I hope the president doesn’t really veto the bill on this issue … I hope the president reconsiders vetoing the entire defense bill, which includes salary increases for our troops, on a provision that could lead to change the names, “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Republicans will begin unveiling the coronavirus package on Thursday The Republican Party may face options for tax cuts or stimulus controls Hillicon Valley: Twitter bans thousands of QAnon accounts | Bipartisan Support for Election Funds Grows in Senate Stimulus Bill | Senate Committee Advances Bill to Ban TikTok from Federal Devices MORE (R-Ky.) He told Fox News shortly after Trump’s veto threat.
Senator Chuck grassley
Charles (Chuck) Ernest Grassley The Republican Party may face tax cut options or stimulus checks The White House, senior Republicans pour cold water on the extension of short-term unemployment The Republican Party considers the extension of unemployment in the short term MORE (R-Iowa) predicted earlier this month that Republicans would “likely” override a veto on the bill, which would be the first time for the Trump administration.
Senator Josh Hawley
Joshua (Josh) David HawleyHillicon Valley: Twitter Bans Thousands of QAnon Accounts | Bipartisan Support for Election Funds Grows in Senate Stimulus Bill | Senate Committee Advances Bill To Ban TikTok From Federal Defense Devices Overnight: Senate Is About To Pass Defense Bill With Requirement To Change Confederate Base Names Key Senator Supports Reduction Of Germany | Space Force chooses ‘semper supra’ as its motto The Senate Homeland Security Committee advances a bill to ban TikTok from government devices MORE (R-Mo.) He introduced an amendment to change the language by removing the mandate that the Pentagon carry out the plan. Instead, it would create a one-year commission to study the problem and determine what to do with the bases. The amendment did not get a vote.
The fight for the Confederate-named bases was not the only hot topic that came up during the Senate debate.
Senators rejected wide limits on what weapons the military could transfer to police departments, an issue that reappeared when videos of police officers using the equipment in response to the protests drew criticism.
Instead, the Senate agreed to include a more limited ban on the transfer of bayonets, grenades, armed combat vehicles, and armed drones. The amendment, by the senator. Jim Inhofe
Senate President James (Jim) Mountain InhofeGOP Supports Germany’s Defense Withdrawal Overnight: House Passes Defense Bill Trump Threatened To Veto | Esper expresses concern about officers wearing military clothing. The Senate rejects the general restrictions on transfers of military-grade equipment to the police. PLUS (R-Okla.), It also requires law enforcement agencies to be trained in scaling down and constitutional rights of citizens.
Senator Mitt romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt Romney The Republican Senate Party and the White House reach a billion-dollar deal for coronavirus testing. Overnight Defense: The Senate is about to pass a defense bill with the requirement to change the names of Confederate bases | Key Senator Supports Germany’s Cut | Space Force chooses ‘semper supra’ as its motto Republican Senate President backs Germany’s withdrawal MORE (R-Utah) had offered a bipartisan amendment to restrict Trump’s ability to reduce the US military presence in Germany. He voted against ending the debate on the Senate bill, but ultimately voted on the bill on final approval, because he didn’t get a vote on his proposal.
“Apparently, the withdrawal of 10,000 soldiers from Germany is a very bad idea. First of all, it is a slap in the face to a key ally, friend and great country, ”Romney said during a speech in the Senate room.
Democrats had also wanted to use the bill to respond to recent protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death, including the requirement that federal law enforcement uniforms identify an individual and his agency, limit their activities. to federal property and the immediate surrounding area unless a governor or mayor requests more assistance and publicly disclose the number of personnel deployed and what activities they are carrying out.
But that amendment did not get a vote.
“It would be the right thing for us to debate my simple amendment,” said the senator. Jeff Merkley
Jeffrey (Jeff) Alan Merkley Stop the nonsense about federal agents in Portland Pelosi, Blumenaur will condemn Trump’s “heinous abuses of power” against Oregon protesters Federal agents deployed in Portland had no riot control training: NYT MORE (D-Ore.) Thursday. “We should debate it. If people disagree with this, they should stand up and explain why. … Do you know how rare it is for senators to come and have a dialogue and debate?
.
