House set for override vote on Trump's defense bill veto

Democratic-controlled House has returned to Capitol to vote on an override of President Donald Trump's veto of a defense policy bill.

A vote was expected on Monday evening. If approved by two-thirds of House and Senate, override would be first of Trump's presidency.

Trump rejected 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 langu that allows for renaming of military bases that hour Confederate leers.

defense bill affirms three per cent pay raises for US troops and authorises more than USD 740 billion in military programs and construction and has bro bipartisan support in Congress.

Trump's veto of National Defense Authorisation Act, or NDAA, provoked swift condemnation, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling it "an act of staggering recklessness that harms our troops, endangers our security and undermines will of bipartisan Congress".

Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, called bill "absolutely vital to our national security and our troops", ding, "Our men and women who volunteer to wear uniform shouldn't be denied what y need — ever".

Trump has offered a series of rationales for rejecting bill.

He urged lawmakers to impose limits on Twitter and or social media companies he claimed are biased against him, as well as to strip out langu that allows for renaming of military bases such as Fort Benning and Fort Hood that hor Confederate leers.

Trump also claimed without evidence that biggest winner from defense bill would be China.

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

Trump was referring to provisions in bill that impose conditions on his plan to withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan and Germany.

measures require Pentagon to submit reports certifying that proposed withdrawals would t jeopardise US national security.

Both House and Senate passed measure by margins large eugh to override a presidential veto.

Trump has vetoed eight or bills, but those were all sustained because supporters did t gain two-thirds vote needed in each chamber for bills to become law without Trump's signature.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, top Democrat on Senate Armed Services Committee, said Trump's declaration that China gained from defense bill was false.

He also ted shifting explanations Trump h given for veto.

"From Confederate base names to social media liability provisions ... to imaginary and easily refutable charges about China, it's hard to keep track of President Trump's unprincipled, irrational excuses for vetoing this bipartisan bill," Reed said.

Reed called December 23 veto “Trump's parting gift to (Russian President Vlimir) Putin and a lump of coal for our troops. Donald Trump is showing more devotion to Confederate base names than to men and women who defend our nation".

Rep. am Smith, D-Wash., chairman of House Armed Services Committee, said Trump's veto "me it clear that he does t care about needs of our military personnel and ir families".

measure guides Pentagon policy and cements decisions about troop levels, new weapons systems and military reiness, personnel policy and or military goals.

Many programs, including military construction, can only go into effect if bill is approved.

Senate Majority Leer Mitch McConnell, in a rare break with Trump, h urged pass of defense bill despite Trump's veto threat.

McConnell said it was important for Congress to continue its nearly six-dece-long streak of passing defense policy bill.