Trump Vetoes Defense Bill, Rejects It As ‘Gift to China and Russia’
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald J. Trump vetoed a massive defense spending bill saying the law was “a gift to China and Russia” putting “the interests of the Washington D.C. establishment” over American service members.
Congress passed the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by veto-proof margins. The House of Representatives voted 335-87 and the Senate 84-13 for the NDAA. But those voting majorities didn’t impress President Trump who viewed the law as an Act against the nation.
“My administration has taken strong actions to help keep our Nation safe and support our service members,” Trump wrote in a statement. “I will not approve this bill, which would have put the interests of the Washington, D.C. establishment over those of the American people.”
However, the House was due to vote to override Trump’s veto on Monday, while the Senate was to vote the following day.
Trump is furious that the bill proposes renaming 10 military installations currently named after Confederate leaders dating back to the 19th century American Civil War.
He had also threatened to veto the legislation if the U.S. Congress did not repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which grants liability protections for social media companies. Trump claims tech giants such as Twitter, Facebook, and Google misuse their power to censor conservative content including the president’s writings.
“The Act fails even to make any meaningful changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, despite bipartisan calls for repealing that provision,” Trump complained.
He denied suggestions that his actions undermine the security of the United States.
“My Administration recognizes the importance of the Act to our national security. Unfortunately, the Act fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions,” he added. “It is a ‘gift’ to China and Russia.”
Several Democrats condemned Trump’s move including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “The President’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act is an act of staggering recklessness that harms our troops, endangers our security, and undermines the will of the bipartisan Congress,” she said. Pelosi warned: “Next week, December 28, the House will take up the veto override with bipartisan support.”
Even Republicans questioned Trump’s actions such as Senator Jim Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee: “We can and should use another legislative vehicle to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act – a priority @realDonaldTrump and I share,” he wrote.
Inhofe added on social networking site Twitter: “I hope all of my colleagues in Congress will join me in making sure our troops have the resources and equipment they need to defend this nation.”
The political battle comes as time is ticking away for Trump to contest the recent election ahead of the presidential inauguration on January 20. Trump has so far declined to recognize Democrat Joe Biden as president-elect citing “massive proof” of voter fraud despite losing several court cases.
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