The outgoing Chair opposed the text on several grounds. In particular, he wanted to include a reform of section 230 of the law on decency in communications.
By
“See you on January 6 in Washington!” Donald Trump started the year 2021 with a major setback, inflicted by Senate Republicans, who joined the Democrats on Friday, January 1 st , to overturn the veto that he had opposed on December 22, 2020 to the defense budget.
The American president did not change his strategy: nineteen days before the handover , he continues to encourage his supporters to challenge the outcome of the November 3 election. “The BIG Washington protest rally will be on January 6 at 11 a.m.,” he tweeted (and retweeted) from his home in Mar-a-Lago, Fla. shortly after the Senate vote. “Stop the theft!”
Less than three weeks before he left the White House, Republicans finally stood up to the 45th President of the United States. It was the ninth veto of his term, but it was the first time that Congress had achieved the majority required to override: two-thirds of the votes.
The National Defense Authorization Act, which distributes 740 billion dollars (605 billion euros) of military expenditure, was adopted (81 votes against 13) by the senators exceptionally gathered on January 1 (six did not take part in the vote). The House of Representatives had already voted in the same direction on December 28; 109 Republicans then joined the 212 Democrats in favor of bypassing the veto.
Reform of Section 230
Donald Trump opposed the text for several reasons. He wanted to include a reform of section 230 of the law on decency in communications, the device that allows social networks to avoid being prosecuted for the content they publish. Republicans, who like Democrats are in favor of tighter regulations, felt the topic had nothing to do with the defense budget. In Silicon Valley, we still wonder why Mr. Trump, who is the first to benefit, insists on repealing a section of the law that allows him to say whatever he wants on Twitter.
The Republican president was also opposed to the renaming of the military bases bearing the name of Southern generals of the Civil War (1861-1865), a demand born in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. He finally intended to have full latitude to reduce the troops in Germany and Afghanistan. Finally, the law will come into effect as it stands: the president will have to refer it to the Pentagon, which will have to certify that the withdrawal of troops does not endanger national security. And the military bases will have to change their name within three years.
You have 70.73% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.