Scott Votes to Override Trump Veto of Defense Bill, Raise Amount of Stimulus Checks

Press Release

Today, the House of Representatives voted to override President Trump's veto of H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) voted to override President Trump's veto.

"For 60 years, the NDAA has been passed with bipartisan and bicameral support. President Trump's veto of this legislation was harmful to our national security and showed a disregard for our military personnel and their families," said Congressman Scott. "The FY 21 NDAA provides a well-deserved three percent pay increase for our servicemembers. It also includes several important provisions that will directly support shipbuilding and ship maintenance in Hampton Roads. The President was willing to throw away all that good work in the name of preserving names, symbols, displays, monuments, and other paraphernalia that commemorate the Confederate States of America or anyone that voluntarily served in rebellion against the United States. It is a deeply disappointing but fitting chapter at the end of Donald Trump's presidency. I was proud to see a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress vote to override President Trump's veto."

On December 8, the House passed the conference report to the NDAA bill by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 335 to 78 -- a vote greater than the two-thirds vote required for a veto override. Similarly, on December 11, the Senate passed the NDAA conference report by a bipartisan vote of 84 to 13 -- another vote greater than the two-thirds vote required to override a president's veto.

The House of Representatives also voted to pass H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020, which would raise recently enacted economic impact payments from $600 to $2,000 and fix the gap for adult dependents retroactively, allowing for an additional $2,000 for each dependent.

"Passage of the CASH Act is vital for working families across the country struggling due to this pandemic," stated Congressman Scott. "The COVID relief bill recently passed by Congress and signed by the President was a down payment on what will be necessary to crush the virus and push our economy into recovery. I am pleased to see that President Trump is supportive of larger cash payments as Congressional Democrats have been advocating for many months. It is disappointing to see so many of our Republican colleagues vote against providing much-needed relief to workers and families during such a difficult time. I hope the President will urge the Republican Senate to follow the House's lead and pass this bill to increase relief for the American people."

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