WASHINGTON, DC -- Citing President Donald Trump’s irrational reasons for vetoing the bipartisan 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after Trump vetoed the NDAA:

“From Confederate base names to social media liability provisions that have nothing to do with national defense 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. 

“America is facing a massive, unprecedented cyber hack that remains a grave and ongoing threat.  Rather than signing the NDAA to strengthen our cyber defenses, Donald Trump is downplaying the threat and vetoing this bipartisan NDAA, which contains critical tools to detect and deter cyber threats.

“On the eve of Christmas Eve, this veto seems to be Trump’s parting gift to Putin and a lump of coal for our troops.  This bill is critically important to our national defense and the quality of life for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen.  Not only is President Trump denying troops in the field hazard pay, he is also refusing to provide critical help for their families, including health care and other support. 

“Donald Trump is showing more devotion to Confederate base names than to the men and women who defend our nation.  His irrational veto of this bipartisan NDAA fails U.S. forces that are serving in harm’s way and harms U.S. national security."

The bipartisan NDAA was approved 335-78-1 by the U.S. House of Representatives and by a vote of  84-13 in the U.S. Senate.

Now that President Trump vetoed the bill, it gets sent back to Congress where lawmakers in both chambers will need two-thirds majorities to override the veto and enact the bill into law.

The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Washington, DC on December 28 for a veto override vote.  If that vote succeeds the U.S. Senate is scheduled to return to the U.S. Capitol on December 29 to take up the bill.