The Senate, with a Republican majority, approved on Friday an important defense bill that establishes the Pentagon's policy and spending for 2021, and that the president, Republican Donald Trump, threatens to veto because it does not include the adjustments he demands for punishing social media companies that you consider enemies, such as Facebook and Twitter
The final vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, was 84 votes in favor to 13 against, a result similar to that achieved in the House of Representatives on Tuesday and that would be enough to override a possible veto by the president.
The Senate vote was delayed until Friday because Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul opposed the measure, arguing that it could limit Trump's ability to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
His objections also threatened the spending bill that would keep government open until Dec. 18, but the Senate unanimously approved a one-week extension of federal funding on Friday and allow more time for separate negotiations on relief. of COVID-19 and a general spending bill.
The version of the NDAA that a majority of senators gave the green light to contemplates salary increases of 3% for US troops and authorizes more than $ 740,000 in military programs and construction.
Trump had also demanded Congress to remove a provision from the bill that allows renaming of military bases that now honor Confederate leaders, and which was ultimately approved regardless.
[The Pentagon bans Confederate flags on military bases and rejects "divisive symbols"]
Biden Elects Retired General Lloyd Austin to the Post of Secretary of Defense
Dec. 8, 202000: 22
The passage of the NDAA came after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in an unusual break with Trump, urged its passage despite the president's threat to veto it.
McConnell said Thursday that it was important for Congress to continue the nearly 60-year history of passing this law: "It will unlock $ 740 billion for the state-of-the-art training, tools and equipment that our service members and civilian employees need to defend American life and interests. "
"It will give our troops the 3% pay raise they deserve. It will keep our forces ready to deter China and stay strong in the Indo-Pacific," he added.
The Senate Majority Leader did not address the veto threat, but asserted that the measure "does not contain all the policies that neither party would like to pass, but it does include a large number of crucial policies and many bad ideas were excluded. ".
After losing the election, Trump fires his defense secretary Mark Esper
Nov. 9, 202002: 47
Trump tweeted on Tuesday that he will veto the "very weak" defense bill unless he repeals Section 230, a part of the communications code that protects Twitter, Facebook and other tech giants from liability for the content they post.
If he vetoes the defense bill, Congress could shorten its Christmas recess to vote on overriding the veto, senior House members said.
"I think we can override the veto," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Tuesday, "I hope you don't go. I hope you reconsider. And I think you will receive substantial pressure [from Republicans] that You know, you don't want to jeopardize the defense bill. "
