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WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s Republicans in the United States Senate on Friday (Jan. 1) overruled his veto for the first time in his nearly four years in office, pushing a defense spending bill against his strong objections 20 days before leaving office.
Meeting in a rare session on New Year’s Day, the Senate voted 81-13 to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto with bipartisan support two days before a new Congress is sworn in on Sunday. Eight previous vetoes have been maintained.
Republican lawmakers have been largely supportive of the president during his turbulent four years in the White House. Since losing his re-election bid in November, Trump has criticized them for failing to fully endorse his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, rejecting his demand for larger COVID-19 relief checks and moving toward overriding the veto.
The Republican-led Senate reconvened at noon to adopt the $ 740 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which Trump refused to make into law because it does not repeal certain legal protections for tech companies. He also opposes a provision removing the names of Confederate generals from military bases.
Senators are expected to cast the first of two procedural votes aimed at overriding Trump’s veto, after the House of Representatives successfully voted to overturn it on Monday. If that is successful, the Senate will hold a second procedural vote followed by a final vote on approval on its last day of session on Saturday.
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Democrats, who in an unusual alignment with Trump welcomed his request for direct aid payments of $ 2,000, hoped to use the NDAA to force a quick vote on a bill authorizing checks, which would give them a Americans more than $ 600 coming now. Some Republicans also support higher payments.
But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell overruled the effort, tying larger checks to a bill that competes with social media and electoral provisions that Democrats are sure to reject with little time to maneuver before the next Congress takes. oath on Sunday.
Trump, who returned to Washington on Thursday from his private club in Florida, has increased the pressure on his fellow Republicans and has criticized party leaders for failing to carry out his orders on the two measures.
“Weak and tired Republican ‘leadership’ will allow the bad Defense Act to pass,” he said in a series of tweets this week, adding: “Unless Republicans have a death wish … they must pass the $ 2000 payments ASAP! “
Republican tensions are also rising over a plan by some conservatives to object next Wednesday when the new Congress officially counts the Electoral College votes that certify Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential victory before he is sworn in on January 20.
McConnell, who publicly acknowledged Biden’s victory, raised questions Thursday in a call with his caucus about fellow Republican Sen. Josh Hawley’s objection plan, according to media reports. At least 140 Republicans in the House are expected to raise similar objections despite the largely ceremonial role of Congress, CNN reported.
Representatives for McConnell did not respond to a Reuters query seeking comment on the planned maneuvers, which could spark a lengthy debate in the Senate, but they have no chance to overturn the results.
