How They Voted: Alabama Reps Decide On Direct Payments, NDAA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat whose congressional district includes the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, joined in a bipartisan effort Monday voting to override President Donald Trump's veto of the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The U.S. House of Representatives voted 322-87 on the military spending measure, with a Senate vote expected later this week that could hand Trump the first veto override of his presidency.

Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app.

Trump was an outspoken critic of the bill ahead of his veto last Wednesday, threatening to do so as he demanded Congress institute limits on social media companies viewed as biased by the president and removing language that allows for the renaming of U.S. military bases such as Fort Benning and Fort Hood, which bear the names of Confederate leaders.

As the Associated Press previously reported, the bill also provides 3% pay raises for U.S. troops, while green-lighting more than $740 billion in military programs and construction.

Earlier in the day, the Democrat-controlled House also passed a measure increasing coronavirus economic relief checks from $600 to $2,000 by a vote of 275-134, which saw previous vocal support from the president. The changes to the bill will now face an uncertain future against a slim Republican majority in the Senate.

Sewell voted in favor of increasing the direct payments and was joined by a lone Republican from the Alabama House delegation, with U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt also supporting the measure.

Here's how the Alabama House delegation voted on the override measure:

• Robert Aderholt (R) - Yes
• Mo Brooks (R) - Yes
• Bradley Byrne (R) - Yes
• Gary Palmer (R) - N0
• Martha Roby (R) - Yes
• Mike Rogers (R) - Yes
• Terri Sewell (D) - Yes

Here's how the Alabama House delegation voted on changes to the direct payments in the coronavirus economic relief bill:

• Robert Aderholt (R) - Yes
• Mo Brooks (R) - No
• Bradley Byrne (R) - No
• Gary Palmer (R) - N0
• Martha Roby (R) - No
• Mike Rogers (R) - No
• Terri Sewell (D) - Yes

Follow Patch here for updates or on Facebook and Twitter.