{"id":32994,"date":"2021-01-01T19:59:01","date_gmt":"2021-01-01T19:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/01\/01\/congress-overrides-trump-veto-of-defense-bill\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:32:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:32:37","slug":"congress-overrides-trump-veto-of-defense-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/congress\/2021\/01\/01\/congress-overrides-trump-veto-of-defense-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"Congress overrides Trump veto of defense bill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 Congress has overridden President Donald Trump\u2019s veto<\/a> of a defense policy bill, a first by lawmakers since he took office nearly four years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an extraordinary New Year\u2019s Day session, the Republican-controlled Senate easily turned aside the veto, dismissing Trump\u2019s objections to the $740 billion bill and handing him a stinging rebuke just weeks before his term ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump had lashed out at GOP lawmakers on Twitter, charging earlier this week that \u201cWeak and tired Republican \u2018leadership\u2019 will allow the bad Defense Bill to pass.\u2033<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump called the looming override vote a \u201cdisgraceful act of cowardice and total submission by weak people to Big Tech. Negotiate a better Bill, or get better leaders, NOW!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 81-13 vote in the Senate followed an earlier 322-87 override vote in the House of the widely popular defense measure. The bill provides a 3 percent pay raise for U.S. troops and guides defense policy, cementing decisions about troop levels, new weapons systems and military readiness, personnel policy and other military goals. Many programs, including military construction, can only go into effect if the bill is approved.<\/p>\n\n\n\t