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The Senate moved towards a possible overriding of President Trump’s veto on the National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, voting in favor of a motion to address the issue despite strong opposition to the military spending bill .
The motion was carried, 80-12. Majority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Tabled a closure immediately after the vote. A final Senate vote on whether to override Trump’s veto is expected on Saturday before Congress adjusts its current session.
MCCONNELL: ‘NO REALISTIC PATH’ FOR SENATE TO APPROVE $ 2B STIMULUS CONTROLS
The $ 740 billion military spending bill was passed by both the House and the Senate by a large majority. But in a surprise move, Trump vetoed the NDAA on December 23.
The president warned he would not approve the bill unless it contained language to repeal section 230, the measure that protects social media platforms from being liable for third-party posts. Trump and other GOP figures have accused platforms such as Facebook and Twitter of censoring conservative views.
Trump also opposed a provision in the NDAA that calls for renaming military bases bearing the names of Confederate leaders.
Despite opposition from the president, McConnell called on members of both parties to support approval of the NDAA. He argued that the bill was vital to US defense interests and noted that it includes 3% salary increases for members of the military.
“For the brave men and women of the armed forces of the United States, failure is not an option. So when it’s our turn on Congress to have its back, failure is not no. no longer an option here, ”McConnell said Tuesday.
The Senate resumed the motion a day after the House overwhelmingly voted to overturn the veto. The move drew a sharp rebuke from President Trump, who tore “weak and tired” House GOP lawmakers to pieces for supporting the waiver.
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“A shameful act of cowardice and total submission of the weak to Big Tech,” Trump tweeted. “Negotiate a better bill, or get better leaders, NOW! The Senate should not approve the NDAA until it is resolved !!!”
The Senate held the procedural vote amid opposition from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Who pushed Republican leaders to approve an increase in direct payments to Americans battling the coronavirus. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for checks for $ 2,000, up from $ 600 already approved in the latest aid package.
Earlier Wednesday, McConnell said there was “no realistic way” for the Senate to quickly approve larger payments.
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