Submitted by Patrick Cassidy, Communications Director for Joe Courtney.
(Dec. 29, 2020) — WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, and the U.S. House of Representatives voted to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2021 (H.R. 6395). The NDAA was sent to the President’s desk for signature with overwhelming bipartisan support from Congress following passage of the NDAA Conference Report in the House by a margin of 335-78, and in the Senate by 84-13. As Chairman of the Seapower Subcommittee, Courtney was a core conferee to the bipartisan panel charged with negotiating the final bill, and worked to ensure it included the Seapower Subcommittee’s provision to fully restore construction of the second Virginia-class submarine in 2021.
“I’m proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in voting to overturn President Trump’s reckless veto of the bipartisan NDAA, and to ensure that Congress for the 60th year passes this measure,” said Chairman Courtney. “This year’s defense bill was sent to the President’s desk for signature with overwhelming support from both the House and Senate. The 2021 NDAA is bipartisan, it supports our servicemembers, their families, and veterans, and it strengthens our national defense and cybersecurity. It overturns the Trump Administration’s anemic Navy budget that cut the Virginia-class two-per-year construction program that has been in place since 2011. This bill provides a pay raise to sailors and soldiers, and hazard pay for those serving in areas of imminent danger, it offers new support to victims of Agent Orange, and more. The House came out in force to override President Trump’s feeble veto attempt, and the Senate needs to stand strong and follow suit.”
The House voted to override President Trump’s veto of the bipartisan NDAA by a margin of 322-87. The Senate is expected to vote on overriding the President’s veto on Tuesday, December 29th.
