Amegix

Amegix

Sanders to slow down NDAA veto override in bid to get vote on $2K checks proposal

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersOcasio-Cortez rails against both Democrats and Republicans who opposed ,000 direct payments Sanders to slow down NDAA veto override in bid to get vote on K checks proposal Former Sanders surrogate Nina Turner discusses House bid MORE (I-Vt.) is planning to slow down the Senate’s vote on overriding President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump calls for end to ‘religious persecution worldwide’ on 850th anniversary of Thomas Becket’s death Michael Cohen interview sparks questions after he mentions prison friends ‘Tony Meatballs and Big Minty’ Ocasio-Cortez rails against both Democrats and Republicans who opposed ,000 direct payments MORE‘s veto of a mammoth defense policy bill unless leadership agrees to hold a vote on increasing the amount of recently passed coronavirus relief checks from $600 to $2,000. 

Sanders announced his plans in a tweet Monday as the House passed legislation to boost the amount of the direct payments included in the $2.3 trillion package signed by Trump on Sunday night. 

“This week on the Senate floor Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSanders to slow down NDAA veto override in bid to get vote on K checks proposal Schumer to try to pass K stimulus checks bill Tuesday Rubio backs Trump’s push for ,000 direct payments MORE wants to vote to override Trump’s veto of the $740 billion defense funding bill and then head home for the New Year. I’m going to object until we get a vote on legislation to provide a $2,000 direct payment to the working class,” Sanders tweeted. 

ADVERTISEMENT

A spokesman for Sanders confirmed that he will object to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) setting up a vote on the veto override of the defense bill until a proposal to increase the amount of the direct payments to $2,000 is also voted on. 

Sanders can’t ultimately prevent the Senate from voting on whether to override Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which initially passed the Senate earlier this month in a 84-13 vote, with Sanders voting “no” at the time. 

But McConnell is likely to have to move to break a rare filibuster of the veto override effort, forcing it to overcome a 60-vote procedural hurdle and delaying a final vote on Trump’s veto message for days until later this week. The veto override will ultimately need a two-thirds vote to pass the Senate. 

In addition to Sanders, Sen. Ed MarkeyEd MarkeySanders to slow down NDAA veto override in bid to get vote on K checks proposal Lawmakers urge Trump to sign stimulus-funding package as government shutdown looms Brother of Biden adviser Ricchetti hired as lobbyist at Amazon MORE (D-Mass.) said he would similarly slow down the NDAA vote in an effort to get one on increasing the amount of direct assistance provided as part of the $2.3 trillion package. 

“I will be joining @BernieSanders in blocking the defense bill until we get a vote on $2000 in direct cash relief. That relief passed in the House today with 44 Republicans voting for it. Senate Republicans must do the same and get the American people the help they need,” Markey tweeted. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerNew York Democratic Party chairman warns Ocasio-Cortez against challenging Schumer Sunday shows preview: COVID-19 relief waiting on Trump’s signature; government continues vaccine roll out Trump and Pelosi should unite for ,000 relief checks MORE (D-N.Y.) is expected to try to clear the House-passed bill increasing the amount of direct assistance through the Senate on Tuesday. But because it will take only one senator to block his request, he’s expected to fall short. 

Senate leaders were likely to already have to jump through the days-long procedural hoops on the veto override. Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneSanders to slow down NDAA veto override in bid to get vote on K checks proposal This week: Trump’s grip on Hill allies faces test House poised to override Trump veto for first time MORE (R-S.D.), McConnell’s No. 2, predicted earlier this month that there would be objections to a quick vote on whether to override Trump’s veto. 

The Senate will return on Tuesday, with McConnell previously announcing that the chamber would have the “opportunity to process a veto override” if it passed the House, which it did on Monday in an 322-87 vote. The House vote marked the first time either chamber has been able to successfully override one of Trump’s nine vetoes. 

Sen. Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulSanders to slow down NDAA veto override in bid to get vote on K checks proposal House overrides Trump veto of defense bill This week: Trump’s grip on Hill allies faces test MORE (R-Ky.) signaled to reporters earlier this month that he intended to slow down the Senate’s consideration of the veto. 

“I very much am opposed to the Afghan war, and I’ve told them I’ll come back to try to prevent them from easily overriding the president’s veto,” Paul told reporters.