The House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with a veto-proof majority, setting up a showdown with the White House over the must-pass legislation. President Donald Trump vowed to veto the bill unless it contained a clause repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Section 230 shields online services from legal liability over the content that users post. This has allowed social media companies like Facebook and Twitter to operate without fear of being punished for most of the content that their users upload. President Trump said the law gives special protections to social media companies that he feels are treating Republicans unfairly and puts national security at risk.
"I hope House Republicans will vote against the very weak National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which I will VETO. Must include a termination of Section 230 (for National Security purposes), preserve our National Monuments, & allow for 5G & troop reductions in foreign lands!" Trump tweeted.
The House called President Trump's bluff, passing the NDAA by a vote of 335-78-1. That is well above the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.
While the bill does not contain a repeal of Section 230, it does provide a 3% pay raise for the military and money for coronavirus relief. It also includes provisions to boost sexual harassment prevention and response measures and seeks to improve military housing.
"This bipartisan policy bill has been signed into law for 59 consecutive years. Let us urge the president to show respect for the work of the bicameral, bipartisan Congress and for the sacrifice of our military. I urge a strong bipartisan vote for this legislation, which upholds our values, honors our troops, and keeps the American people safe. And I hope that it will be swiftly signed into law," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he supports the House bill and will bring it to a vote on the Senate floor.
The White House issued a statement before the vote, vowing to veto the bill.
"Unfortunately, this conference report 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," the statement said.
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