U.S. President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in the Senate on Friday overrode his veto for the first time in his nearly four years in office, pushing through a defense policy bill against his objections just weeks before he leaves office.
Meeting in a rare New Year's Day session, senators voted 81-13 to secure the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto with bipartisan support. Eight previous Trump vetoes were upheld.
The session also appeared to end for now a push by Democrats to increase COVID-19 relief checks from $600 to $2,000 sought by Trump. Senator Bernie Sanders again joined Democrats in a bid to force a vote on higher payments, only to be blocked by Republicans.
Republican lawmakers have largely stood by the president during his turbulent White House term.