Senate overrules Trump’s veto of defence bill

KABUL (Pajhwok): In a rebuke to the outgoing US president, many Republicans joined hands with Democrats in overriding his veto of the defence policy bill.

The Senate voted on Friday 81-to-13, more than the two-thirds majority, to override for the first time one of President Donald Trump’s vetoes.

While opposing the bill, Trump had said the measure restricted his ability to withdraw thousands of US troops from Afghanistan and Germany.

It was a strong Trump ally who nudged his colleagues to override Trump’s veto, describing the bill’s passage “the most significant vote lawmakers take.”

Senator James M. Inhofe, Republican of Oklahoma and the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said: “This year especially so, in light of the disruptions and problems that we’ve had.”

Soon after the vote, The New York Times reported, Trump tweeted to express his anger at Republican senators’ refusal to meet his demands.

He wrote: “Our Republican Senate just missed the opportunity to get rid of Section 230, which gives unlimited power to Big Tech companies. Pathetic!!!”

He added: “Now they want to give people ravaged by the China Virus $600, rather than the $2000 which they so desperately need. Not fair, or smart!”

On Friday, all Republican conference leaders, including majority leader Senator Mitch McConnell, voted to overrule the veto,.

He hailed the legislation “a tremendous opportunity to direct our national security priorities to reflect the resolve of the American people.”

The move comes days after the House voted 322-87 to override Trump’s veto of the US$741 billion annual defense bill.

PAN Monitor/mud

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