President Trump has followed through with the veto on the annual defense bill, as Congress plans to return from their holiday break to potentially override him for the first time in his 4-year administration.
“My Administration has taken strong actions to help keep our Nation safe and support our service members,” Trump wrote in a message to the House of Representatives. “I will not approve this bill, which would put the interests of the Washington, D.C. establishment over those of the American people.”
Earlier in December, the Senate approved the bill 84-13, while the House passed the bill by a vote of 335-78. With both chambers having more than two-thirds majority of their members, a vote to override Trump’s veto is expected.
On December 13th, Trump said in a tweet, “THE BIGGEST WINNER OF OUR NEW DEFENSE BILL IS CHINA!. I WILL VETO!”
Trump said, “Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand…..”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, had backed the President on his push to remove Section 230, “I support President @realDonaldTrump’s insistence Section 230 repeal be part of the defense authorization bill. Big Tech is the only industry in America that cannot be sued for their business practices and are not meaningfully regulated. This must come to an end.”
We are waiting to hear on the COVID Relief Bill, and will update our readers as soon as news comes in.