House Passes Annual Defense Bill Amidst Presidential Friction, Setting Stage for Veto Showdown

House Approves Landmark Defense Legislation

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the annual defense bill, officially known as the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395), on December 8, 2020, with a significant vote of 335–78, following an earlier passage on July 21, 2020, by 295–125. This comprehensive legislation authorized approximately $740 billion in defense spending, outlining the budget, expenditures, and policies for the U.S. Department of Defense for the fiscal year.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The defense bill encompassed a wide array of provisions aimed at strengthening national security and supporting military personnel. Among its core components were:

• Pay Raises for Troops: The legislation included provisions for pay raises for America's soldiers.
• Weapons Modernization: It authorized increases for weapons procurement programs and supported the modernization of equipment. This included bolstering the nuclear triad, command and control systems, and infrastructure, as well as encouraging the development of hypersonic weapons.
• Force Posture: The bill contained provisions requiring more scrutiny before troops could be withdrawn from locations such as Germany or Afghanistan.
• Base Renaming: A notable provision mandated the renaming of military bases that honored figures from the Confederacy.
• Limiting Presidential Authority: The act included measures to limit the President's use of emergency declarations to divert military construction funds.

Friction with the Trump Administration

The passage of the defense bill was marked by considerable friction with the Trump administration. President Donald Trump had repeatedly threatened to veto the legislation and ultimately did so on December 23, 2020. His objections stemmed from several key areas unrelated to the core defense budget:

• Section 230 Repeal: President Trump demanded the bill include a repeal of Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, which shields internet companies from liability for content posted by third parties.
• Confederate Base Names: He opposed the provision requiring the renaming of military installations honoring Confederate officers, citing respect for the legacy of servicemen and women.
• Troop Withdrawal Restrictions: The President argued that provisions restricting his ability to withdraw troops from certain regions contradicted his foreign policy objectives.
• Emergency Fund Limitations: He also objected to limitations placed on his authority to use emergency declarations to reallocate military construction funds.

Congressional Veto Override

Despite the presidential veto, both chambers of Congress moved to override it. The House of Representatives voted to override the veto on December 28, 2020, with a vote of 322–87. The Senate followed suit on January 1, 2021, overriding the veto with a vote of 81–13. This marked the only veto override of President Trump's presidency, underscoring the bipartisan support for the defense legislation. The bill subsequently became law.