Mitch McConnell urges Senate to pass the $741 billion defense bill Trump has vowed to veto – Business Insider India

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is urging the Senate to pass a roughly $741 billion defense bill that President Donald Trump has vowed to veto.

"This [National Defense Authorization Act] will unlock more than $740 billion for the training, tools and cutting-edge equipment that our service members and civilian employees need to defend American lives and American interests, McConnell said during a Senate speech on Thursday. "It will give our troops the 3% pay raise they deserve. It'll keep our forces ready to deter China and stand strong in the Indo-Pacific."

The National Defense Authorization Act or NDAA, which authorizes appropriations for the Defense Department and defense-related activities at other federal agencies, has passed without much fanfare on an annual basis for nearly 60 years.

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Trump and other conservatives have frequently accused social media giants like Twitter and Facebook of bias against the political right. But the issue is unrelated to national defense and the overarching aim of the NDAA, and Trump's demands regarding Section 230 have baffled some Republicans in the conversation over the defense bill.

Republicans, who have repeatedly bowed to pressure from the president on other matters and legislation, are largely moving forward in support of the bill despite Trump's demands.

The legislation "does not contain every policy that either side would like to pass," McConnell said, adding that a "huge number of crucial policies are included and a lot of bad ideas were kept out."

Trump has issued eight vetoes during his presidency and none have been overturned.

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Mitch McConnell urges Senate to pass the $741 billion defense bill Trump has vowed to veto - Business Insider India