U. S. House Backs More Stimulus; Rejects Trump’s Defense Veto

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – In a rare sign of agreement, the Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives has voted 275-134 to meet President Donald J. Trump’s demand for $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks.

But even as Democrats backed what the Republican president sought on stimulus payments, they later voted to override his veto of a separate $740 billion defense policy bill.

Trump last week threatened to block a massive pandemic aid and spending package if Congress did not boost stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 and cut another spending.

He backed down from his demands on Sunday as a possible government shutdown loomed, brought on by the fight with lawmakers.

Democratic lawmakers claim they long wanted much bigger coronavirus relief checks. However, critics said they put other items in the original 900 billion coronavirus rescue package not related to relief, ranging from culture to supporting projects in other nations.

And it remained uncertain whether skeptical Republicans in the Senate would support rising stimulus payments.

Still, the House and Republican-controlled Senate appeared closer to override Trump’s veto over defense spending.

House members voted 322-87 to override the veto, well above the two-thirds needed. It would be the first veto override of Trump’s presidency if confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate this week, which also requires a two -thirds majority.

Trump rejected the defense bill last week, saying it failed to limit social media companies he claims were biased against him and others during his reelection campaign. Trump also opposes language that allows for the renaming of military bases that honor Confederate leaders.

The defense bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, affirms 3 percent pay raises for U.S. troops and authorizes more than $740 billion in military programs and construction.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the vote that the House had done its part to ensure the NDAA becomes law “despite the president’s dangerous sabotage efforts.‘‘

Republicans Senator Jim Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the bill “absolutely vital to our national security and troops.” He added: “Our men and women who volunteer to wear the uniform shouldn’t be denied what they need — ever.”

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