Donald Trump has begun to feel his power ebb away as the nation turns toward the President-elect Joe Biden’s ascension to the presidency. Just like an old-fashioned clock with two hands, Trump’s presidency wanes more and more with each second. His threats do not carry nearly the influence they once had. Take this defense bill.
Tuesday, the House passed its annual defense policy bill as easily as it ever has 335-78, even though POTUS threatened to veto any defense bill that crossed his desk. That is, should it not include language forbidding the bases from changing their names. Never mind that some of those names were of notorious slave owners, and 40 percent of the military are persons of color.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) spoke prior to the vote on Tuesday. She said:
‘This bipartisan policy bill has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years. Let’s urge the president to show respect to the work of the bicameral, bipartisan Congress and for the sacrifice of our military.’
Trump tried to force the Republicans to go against the bill, but apparently, his threats are futile:
‘I hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will VETO.’
Ahead of the vote, Trump upped the pressure on Republicans to oppose the bill. The White House also issued a formal statement of administration policy Tuesday afternoon saying:
‘[Trump’s] advisors would recommend he veto [because the bill] fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military’s history, and contradicts efforts by this administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions.’
Chair of the Freedom Caucus Andy Biggs (R-AZ) held a news conference Tuesday afternoon:
‘We stand with the president, and we stood with him over the last four years rebuilding the military, and we continue to stand with him as he desires to do so. This particular NDAA bill, however, is filled with flaws and problems.’
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) also agreed that he would not override a presidential veto:
‘I don’t believe Republicans, in our work with the president always, that you vote to override a veto.’
Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX) told reporters on Monday:
‘All members have to bear the consequences of a “no” vote. And one of the consequences is that military pay is going to go down, that we are going to forgo a lot of important bipartisan steps to better compete with the threat from China.’
Number three Republican in the House of Representatives Liz Cheney (R-WY) also spoke to the reporters. She said:
‘[W]e’ve got to pass the NDAA, and the president should not veto it. And we should override.’
Senator John Thune (R-SD), who is the number two Republican said on Monday that he was looking for a “big” vote this week. However, he did not respond when asked if the Republicans had the votes to override a presidential veto.
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