President Trump is setting up a potential showdown with Congress after vetoing the annual defense bill. Trump turned it down Wednesday after both chambers approved it with veto-proof majorities. The House and Senate would need similar votes in order to override the veto, which requires two-thirds majority. It could be the first and only veto override of Trump’s time in office so far. Lawmakers need to vote by January 3rd before the new Congress is sworn in or start over on the bill.
U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on President Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets policy for the Department of Defense (DoD) and has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years:
“This vital legislation has traditionally received broad, bipartisan support – and this year was no exception. For the President of the United States to veto this bill that provides a pay raise for our troops, enhances our cybersecurity and strengthens our national security is reckless and dangerous – particularly as our nation faces ever-evolving threats, including from this pandemic.
“As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I was proud to work on this legislation – which also supports Michigan’s growing defense footprint and manufacturers. I will be voting to override this veto, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same.”
The legislation includes provisions Peters authored and supported to benefit servicemembers and their families, support Michigan’s defense sector, shore up our cyber defenses and strengthen our national security.
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