Trump raised China’s concerns as a reason to veto the defense bill


WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump on Sunday issued a new argument for threatening to veto the annual defense policy bill. Which covers the military budget for equipment and increases payments for service members: China. He did not mention his concerns.

Republican lawmakers said the comprehensive defense policy bill sent to the Senate president on Friday would prevent Chinese aggression and should become law as soon as possible.

Both the House and the Senate passed the move by a margin to override a possible veto from the president, who has a history of failing to take action he has threatened.

“The biggest winner of our new defense bill is China! I will veto! Trump in a new tweet.

The White House did not immediately respond to an emailed request to comment on Trump’s special concerns about China.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-K, said the bill would help curb Chinese aggression. Other G.O.P. Supporters, Senate. Sen. of Dakota. John Thun, second-in-command of the Senate, and member of the House Armed Services Committee, Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher, tweeted that the bill would address the risks to countries. Such as China.

The potential override of the veto will be a first for Trump and will not come until he leaves office on January 20. 20. Two-thirds vote in each chamber is required to become law without Trump’s signature.

The president has made several threats on Twitter to veto the bill, renaming military bases honoring federal leaders. He threatened a veto, trying to force legislators to include provisions not related to military and national defense, to punish social media companies that claim to be biased against them during the election.

Congress has approved a bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act for 60 consecutive years. The current version guarantees a pay% increase for U.S. troops and authorizes more than 40 40 billion in military programs and construction.

The move guides Pentagon policy and cementes decisions about military levels, new weapons systems and military readiness, military personnel policy and other military targets. Many programs are only implemented if the bill is approved, including military construction.

Despite Trump’s threat to veto, McMannell insisted on passing a rare break with Trump. McConnell said it was important for Congress to continue the nearly six-decade-long process of passing a defense policy bill.

In addition to budget and salary increases, it will provide, McConnell said the bill would “prepare our forces to deter China and become stronger in the Indo-Pacific.”

Gallagher tweeted last week that the United States was at the beginning of a “new Cold War” with China and that the defense bill “takes important steps to help meet these challenges and ultimately win this competition.” Thune said in a tweet that the move would help the US defend itself against threats from China and Russia. That said, it is important for this bill to become law ASAP.

Trump tweeted last Tuesday that he would veto the “very weak” defense bill unless it repeals Article 230, part of a defense code that protects Twitter, Facebook and other tech giants from being removed from content responsibility. . The White House said in a policy statement that “Article 230 facilitates the dissemination of anti-online information and poses a serious threat to our national security and electoral integrity.” It should be canceled. “

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The report was contributed by Matthew Daly, author of the Associated Press.

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