House votes to OVERRIDE Trump’s veto of Defense bill that he refused to sign because it renames Confederate bases
THE HOUSE of Representatives on Monday night overrode President Donald Trump’s veto of a defense bill that renames Confederate military bases and does not remove protections for big tech.
In a 322-87 vote, the House struck down the president’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act—marking the first and only time it has overruled a veto.
On Tuesday, the Senate is expected to follow suit, which would make the bill a law.
Trump rejected the bill last week because it calls for changing the names of 10 military bases that are named after Confederate generals.
In his veto message on Wednesday, Trump stated that the bases “have taken on significance to the American story and those who have helped write it that far transcends their namesakes.”
The president stated that his administration “respects the legacy of the millions of American servicemen and women who have served with honor at these military bases, and who, from these locations, have fought, bled, and died for their country.”
Trump pointed out that American soldiers won two World Wars from the bases, but did not address the fact that Confederate leaders pushed to keep blacks enslaved.
“I have been clear in my opposition to politically motivated attempts like this to wash away history and to dishonor the immense progress our country has fought for in realizing our founding principles,” Trump stated.
The other major component of the defense bill that Trump opposed is section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects tech giants including Facebook and Twitter from liability for content on their platforms.
Trump demanded that lawmakers make “meaningful changes” to the section.
“Section 230 facilitates the spread of foreign disinformation online, which is a serious threat to our national security and election integrity,” Trump wrote in his veto message.
“It must be repealed.”
Trump and Republicans have accused social media platforms of favoring liberals and want it to be easier sue the companies.
The defense bill passed in the Senate 84-13, an indication that two-thirds of the body will likely vote to override Trump’s veto.
Lawmakers have until Jan. 3 at noon to overrule Trump’s veto.
On Monday night, right before overriding Trump’s veto, the House passed a bill to boost stimulus checks to Americans from $600 to $2,000.
Trump on Sunday night signed a $900billion Covid-19 relief package after days of holding out because he wanted $600 direct payments increased to $2,000.