Today: Congress votes on the defense authorization bill. Among its many provisions, when passed, it ensures that members of the US mil. receive special pay, i.e. bonuses. Pres. Trump has threatened to veto if passed prompting many lawmakers to say they'll override.
Why would he threaten to veto a bipartisan bill that has routinely passed for years? As Trump tells it: it includes a line renaming Army facilities named after Confed. ofcrs & because it *doesn't* include a repeal of a law holding tech/social media liable for whats posted online
If Trump vetoes, the wheels are put in motion for an override before Christmas. I will break down more of what is in the bill - and what isn't - later today for @CourthouseNews. Stay tuned.
#NDAA #Section230
#NDAA #Section230
Rep Adam Smith, chair of the Armed Services Cmte from the House floor speaks in favor of the $740B defense authorization bill. The bill, among its many provisions, would allow DoD to kick in diversity in staffing initiatives; assistance to victims of agent orange et al.
Fla. GOP Rep Matt Gaetz is against the NDAA and from the floor before said the legislation would force the president to engage in endless wars.
Fhair Smith says that's not what the bill proposes. He wants to see troops removed from Afghanistan/Iraq but responsibly/strategically
Fhair Smith says that's not what the bill proposes. He wants to see troops removed from Afghanistan/Iraq but responsibly/strategically
Regret the typo. That should be 'Chair' Smith.
Rep Michael Turner, R-Ohio brings up a few other notes on why NDAA funds are critical: appropriations are used to ensure nuclear arsenal safety is managed; there are provisions to invest in missile defense, new THAD batteries; DoD wants $ to collaborate w/research teams on all.
Speaker Pelosi speaking in favor of NDAA from the floor highlights provisions like hazard duty pay, extending paid employment leave, and the extension of coverage for those exposed to Agent Orange, including to those who develop thyroid, bladder cancer.
On the provision in NDAA renaming installations named after Confederate darlings: "These were decisions made to name these bases after people, white supremacists and those who were part of the Confederacy. The men for who these bases are named are not heroes."
@CourthouseNews
@CourthouseNews
"They took up arms against America, killed in defense of slavery. Changing the hateful names of these bases is supported by an overwhelming majority of the American people, activity duty servicemen and women..."
NDAA has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years.
"The strength of our nation, of course, depends on the strength we’re talking about here but it also depends on the health and wellbeing of the American people," Pelosi says.
"The strength of our nation, of course, depends on the strength we’re talking about here but it also depends on the health and wellbeing of the American people," Pelosi says.
Rep Jackie Speier, D-Calif. led the charge on getting provisions into NDAA intended to mitigate sexual assault in the military. One measure allows overturned convictions to be appealed, a feature not currently afforded to servicemembers. I'll break it down more in my report later
This bill should not be on the floor in December. It historically passes in May or before the summer break, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says today.
Hoyer says Trump's taking issue with one provision or another in such a large bill is no reason to block the whole of it. "This is particularly true when it would take a major step forward to righting historic wrong," he adds.
In an analogy that makes me hungry, he continues: "We ought not to be focused on the doughnut hole, but the doughnut."
It would have been "perverse" to drop an amendment that is supported by 93% of members, House Maj. Leader Hoyer says of the NDAA provision that, once passed, would form a commish to rename Confederate bases/installations.
Rep. Adam Smith on Trump's insistence to include a repeal of Section 230 in NDAA bill: That section is not going to be addressed in this bill.
.@RepAdamSmith: Please make the right choice, please recognize all of the incredibly important, bicameral policy positions contained in this bill. This is one thing, one thing in this very tumultuous time, that we ought to be able to agree on.
Story to come - House members are heading to the floor to vote on NDAA (or sending their proxies). At this moment we have about 320 votes to go. Stay tuned.
@CourthouseNews
@CourthouseNews
The NDAA bill is passing. It is just a matter of the final tally now. At present, the count exceeds 324 lawmakers in favor.
#BREAKING: The House has voted 335 to 78 adopting the NDAA. This also secures a veto-proof majority, but I'll have more for you on that in my story for @CourthouseNews
THE STORY: courthousenews.com/trump-sets-up-…
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