[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 219 (Thursday, December 24, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H9150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WILLIAM M. (MAC) THORNBERRY NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR 
FISCAL YEAR 2021--VETO MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 
                         (H. DOC. NO. 116-174)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following veto 
message from the President of the United States:

To the House of Representatives:
  I am returning, without my approval, H.R. 6395, the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (the ``Act''). My Administration 
recognizes the importance of the Act to our national security. 
Unfortunately, the Act fails to include critical national security 
measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our 
military's history, and contradicts efforts by my Administration to put 
America first in our national security and foreign policy actions. It 
is a ``gift'' to China and Russia.
  No one has worked harder, or approved more money for the military, 
than I have--over $2 trillion. During my 4 years, with the support of 
many others, we have almost entirely rebuilt the United States 
military, which was totally depleted when I took office. Your failure 
to terminate the very dangerous national security risk of Section 230 
will make our intelligence virtually impossible to conduct without 
everyone knowing what we are doing at every step.
  The Act fails even to make any meaningful changes to Section 230 of 
the Communications Decency Act, despite bipartisan calls for repealing 
that provision. Section 230 facilitates the spread of foreign 
disinformation online, which is a serious threat to our national 
security and election integrity. It must be repealed.
  Additionally, the Act includes language that would require the 
renaming of certain military installations. Over the course of United 
States history, these locations have taken on significance to the 
American story and those who have helped write it that far transcends 
their namesakes. My Administration respects the legacy of the millions 
of American servicemen and women who have served with honor at these 
military bases, and who, from these locations, have fought, bled, and 
died for their country. From these facilities, we have won two World 
Wars. I have been clear in my opposition to politically motivated 
attempts like this to wash away history and to dishonor the immense 
progress our country has fought for in realizing our founding 
principles.
  The Act also restricts the President's ability to preserve our 
Nation's security by arbitrarily limiting the amount of military 
construction funds that can be used to respond to a national emergency. 
In a time when adversaries have the means to directly attack the 
homeland, the President must be able to safeguard the American people 
without having to wait for congressional authorization. The Act also 
contains an amendment that would slow down the rollout of nationwide 
5G, especially in rural areas.
  Numerous provisions of the Act directly contradict my 
Administration's foreign policy, particularly my efforts to bring our 
troops home. I oppose endless wars, as does the American public. Over 
bipartisan objections, however, this Act purports to restrict the 
President's ability to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, Germany, and 
South Korea. Not only is this bad policy, but it is unconstitutional. 
Article II of the Constitution makes the President the Commander in 
Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States and vests in him the 
executive power. Therefore, the decision regarding how many troops to 
deploy and where, including in Afghanistan, Germany, and South Korea, 
rests with him. The Congress may not arrogate this authority to itself 
directly or indirectly as purported spending restrictions.
  For all of these reasons, I cannot support this bill. My 
Administration has taken strong actions to help keep our Nation safe 
and support our service members. I will not approve this bill, which 
would put the interests of the Washington, D.C. establishment over 
those of the American people. It is my duty to return H.R. 6395 to the 
House of Representatives without my approval.
                                                     Donald J. Trump.  
                                    The White House, December 23, 2020.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The objections of the President will be 
spread at large upon the Journal, and the veto message and the bill 
will be printed as a House document.
  Pursuant to section 4 of House Resolution 1271, further consideration 
of the veto message and the bill will be postponed until Monday, 
December 28, 2020.

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