Lawmakers turn the tables on US president

Veto on defense bill rejected, leaving Trump open to humbling in Congress

WASHINGTON－The US House of Representatives dealt a blow to President Donald Trump on Monday by rejecting his veto of a defense bill, setting the stage for what would be the first veto override of his presidency.

The Democratic-controlled House voted 322 to 87 to overturn Trump's veto of the $740.5 billion defense bill, with 109 Republicans siding with Democrats.

A similar motion will be introduced in the Republican-majority Senate, where it will also have to gain two-thirds support to override the president's veto.

The defense bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, will fund the US military portfolio through September and authorizes more than $740 billion in military programs and construction.

The NDAA was passed this month by 335 votes to 78 in the House and by 84 to 13 in the Senate. But Trump rejected the defense bill last week, saying it failed to limit social media companies he claims were biased against him during his failed reelection campaign.

Trump also opposes language that allows for the renaming of military bases that honor Confederate leaders.

In his veto message, Trump also said the bill restricts his ability to conduct foreign policy, "particularly my efforts to bring our troops home".

Trump was referring to provisions in the bill that impose conditions on his plan to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan and Germany. The measures require the Pentagon to submit reports certifying that the proposed withdrawals would not jeopardize US national security.

Including the defense bill, Trump has vetoed nine bills during his four years in the White House. Congress has not previously mustered the votes needed to override any of his vetoes.

If the bill cannot be enacted before Jan 3 when the new Congress starts, lawmakers will have to start from scratch.

'Roadblocks' to transition

Trump's setback in Congress comes as President-elect Joe Biden warns of massive damage done to the national security apparatus by the administration and "roadblocks" in communication between agency officials and his transition team that could undermine US security.

In remarks on Monday in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden said his team has faced "obstruction" from the "political leadership" at the US Defense Department and the Office of Management and Budget as they've sought to gather necessary information to continue the transition of power.

"Right now, we just aren't getting all the information that we need from the outgoing administration in key national security areas. It's nothing short, in my view, of irresponsibility," Biden said.

Biden's remarks came after he was briefed by members of his national security and defense teams and advisers.

Agencies - Xinhua