The Senate moved toward a possible reversal of President Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, voting in favor of a motion to address the issue, despite his vehement opposition to the military spending bill.
The motion passed 80-12. The majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Filed the request immediately after the vote. A final Senate vote on whether to overturn Trump’s veto is expected on Saturday, before Congress suspends its current session.
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The $ 740 billion military spending account was approved by both the House and the Senate by a significant majority. But in a surprise move, Trump vetoed the NDAA on December 23.
The president warned that he would not approve the bill unless it contained a text to repeal Section 230, the measure that protects social media platforms from being held responsible for third-party posts. Trump and other prominent Republican figures have accused platforms like Facebook and Twitter of censoring conservative views.
Trump also objected to an NDAA clause calling for the renaming of military bases with names of Confederate leaders.
Despite the president’s opposition, McConnell asked members of both parties to support the NDAA’s approval. He argued that the bill is vital to US defense interests and noted that it includes 3% salary increases for members of the army.
“For the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, failure is not an option. So when it is our turn to protect ourselves in Congress, failure is also not an option,” said McConnell on Tuesday.
The Senate accepted the motion the day after the House voted by an overwhelming majority to override the veto. The move drew a strong rebuke from President Trump, who criticized Republican lawmakers “weak and tired” for supporting the annulment.
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“A shameful act of cowardice and total submission of weak people to Big Tech,” tweeted Trump. “Negotiate a better bill or get better leaders NOW! The Senate should not pass the NDAA until it is corrected !!!”
The Senate held a procedural vote amid opposition from Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Who pressured Republican leaders to approve increased direct payments to Americans fighting the coronavirus. Lawmakers on both sides of the corridor asked for checks for $ 2,000, against checks for $ 600 already approved in the last aid package.
Earlier on Wednesday, McConnell said there was “no realistic way” for the Senate to quickly approve larger payments.