For the first time in his presidency, the United States Congress on Friday voted overwhelmingly to override Donald Trump’s veto of a defen...
For the first time in his presidency, the United States Congress on Friday voted overwhelmingly to override Donald Trump’s veto of a defence spending bill, reported Reuters. Trump is in the final days of his presidency after losing the November elections to Democrat Joe Biden.
The Republican-controlled Senate held a rare New Year’s Day session to debate the move, which had already been voted for by the House of Representatives. The Senate voted 81-13 for the National Defense Authorization Act, which determines everything from how many ships are bought to soldiers’ pay and how to address geopolitical threats.
The Senate also ended for a push by Democrats to increase Covid-19 financial relief checks from $600 to $2,000, a change also sought by Trump.
Bills passed by the US Congress need to be signed into law by the president of the country. On rare occasions, a president may choose to veto, or reject, the legislation because they disagree over the policies. But lawmakers can override the presidential veto and enact bills into law by mustering two-thirds of votes in both chambers of Congress.
Eight previous Trump vetoes had been upheld.
Why was Trump opposing the defence bill?
Trump had refused to sign the defence bill into law, saying the act was a “gift to...Read more
