Trump vetoes huge protection invoice regardless of overwhelming GOP assist

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“Sadly,” the President wrote in his veto message to Congress, “the Act fails to incorporate crucial nationwide safety measures, contains provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our navy’s historical past, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to place America first in our nationwide safety and international coverage actions. It’s a ‘reward’ to China and Russia.”

Trump’s veto sparked a direct rebuke from GOP Sen. Jim Inhofe, the chairman of the Senate Armed Companies Committee, who stated that the protection invoice should grow to be legislation.

“The NDAA has grow to be legislation yearly for 59 years straight as a result of it is completely important to our nationwide safety and our troops. This yr should not be an exception. Our women and men who volunteer to put on the uniform should not be denied what they want— ever,” Inhofe tweeted.

The Oklahoma Republican went on to say that the protection invoice “cements all of the outstanding positive aspects our navy has made due to @realDonaldTrump’s management,” including, “I hope all of my colleagues in Congress will be a part of me in ensuring our troops have the assets and gear they should defend this nation.”

The invoice contains provisions to restrict how a lot cash Trump can transfer round for his border wall and one other that will require the navy to rename bases that have been named after figures from the Confederacy.

The Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve the huge funding invoice with a veto-proof majority of 84 to 13, a significant rebuke to the President. Trump’s place on the invoice sharply divided GOP lawmakers, forcing them to decide on between loyalty to the President and laws that units protection coverage for the nation. The Home of Representatives additionally just lately handed the invoice with a veto-proof majority.

It is unclear if Republicans will once more defy the President and vote to override his veto. A number of Home lawmakers, together with the highest Democrat and Republican on the Home Armed Companies Committee, nonetheless, beforehand stated they may reduce their holidays brief for Congress to return to Washington to override a veto if needed. A brand new vote has but to be scheduled.

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The $740 billion invoice referred to as the Nationwide Protection Authorization Act additionally contains pay raises for America’s troopers, modernizations for gear and provisions to require extra scrutiny earlier than troops are withdrawn from Germany or Afghanistan.

Trump singled out Part 230 in his message, calling it a “very harmful nationwide safety threat.”

He additionally went after the necessities for altering the names of navy installations named after Accomplice troopers and slave homeowners.

“Over the course of United States historical past, these places have taken on significance to the American story and those that have helped write it that far transcends their namesakes,” Trump stated. “My Administration respects the legacy of the hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and girls who’ve served with honor at these navy bases, and who, from these places, have fought, bled, and died for his or her nation. From these services, we’ve got received two World Wars. I’ve been clear in my opposition to politically motivated makes an attempt like this to clean away historical past and to dishonor the immense progress our nation has fought for in realizing our founding rules,” the message says.

The President additionally stated the act “immediately contradict(s) my Administration’s international coverage, notably my efforts to deliver our troops dwelling. I oppose infinite wars, as does the American public.”

Whereas Trump’s earlier veto threats drew swift and sharp bipartisan pushback from lawmakers who’ve argued that he’s utilizing leverage over the troops to settle private scores, he has acquired vocal assist from some allies.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, had backed the President on his push to take away Part 230.

“I assist President @realDonaldTrump’s insistence Part 230 repeal be a part of the protection authorization invoice,” he wrote in a three-tweet thread. “Huge Tech is the one business in America that can not be sued for his or her enterprise practices and aren’t meaningfully regulated. This should come to an finish.”

The conservative Home Freedom Caucus introduced forward of the Home vote that its members will aspect with Trump in his opposition to the laws and was pressuring different GOP members to aspect with Trump as properly.

This story has been up to date with extra developments.

Lauren Fox contributed to this story.



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