Trump’s threat to veto defense bill criticized
WASHINGTON — Rep. Chip Roy, a Central Texas Republican, was pushing back Wednesday morning on President Donald Trump’s late-night threat to veto a massive annual defense spending bill unless it includes language getting rid of legal protections for social media companies like Facebook and Twitter.
Trump tweeted that he would veto the $740 billion bill that funds the military — and includes tens of millions for Texas bases — unless it repeals Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, an unrelated law which protects online platforms fromliability when they publish and circulate content created by others.
“If the very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk,” Trump tweeted. “Take back America NOW. Thank you!”
Conservatives, including Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, have zeroed in on Section 230 as they’ve claimed those on the right are being unfairly censored on social media.
Some Democrats, including President-elect Joe Biden, also have called for the tech protections to be scrapped, though they say it’s because social media giants aren’t doing enough to stop misinformation.
Roy, a former chief of staff for Cruz, tweeted Wednesday that the debate over Section 230 shouldn’t be mixed with the massive military bill.
“I reserve the right to vote yes or no (TBD) based on what is or is not in the bill b/c it is important but ‘take it or leave it’ legislating is why Congress is broken, & 2) sec 230 should NOT be mixed with NDAA & used by @realdonaldtrump to veto,” Roy tweeted.
The defense bill has passed both the Senate and House, and members from each chamber are hashing out differences in the approved legislation now. Congress is expected to send it to the president’s desk this month.
The legislation, which includes pay raises for service members, also would send tens of mil
lions to Texas military bases for construction projects, including more than $50 million to San Antonio.
Trump has also threatened to veto the legislation over a provision pushing the Pentagon to rename military bases named for Confederate officers, including Fort Hood.