Congress delivered a stinging rebuke to President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump calls Georgia Senate runoffs ‘both illegal and invalid’ in New Year’s tweets Judge dismisses Gohmert’s election suit against Pence Ex-GOP senator suggests forming new party, calls Trump ‘ringmaster’ of Republicans MORE during a rare New Year’s Day session Friday, handing him his first veto override in the final days of his administration.

The GOP-controlled Senate voted 81-13 to override Trump’s veto of a mammoth defense bill, well above the two-thirds support necessary, underscoring the depth of disagreement between the two sides of Pennsylvania Avenue.

The House voted 322-87 earlier this week to nix Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which greenlights spending levels and lays out policy for the Pentagon.

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It caps off a chaotic session for Congress that started with the longest government shutdown in modern history, included an impeachment trial and is now closing in a rare rebuke of Trump. In addition to the veto fight, which was the last vote of the 116th Congress, Senate Republicans effectively killed the president’s demand for an increase in recently-passed stimulus checks, and next week Congress will ultimately reject a long-shot attempt by conservatives to hand the election to Trump.

“It’s a serious responsibility,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellGeorgia keeps Senate agenda in limbo Frustrations flare as ,000 checks blocked for fourth straight day Graham bucks McConnell: ,000 payments ‘not socialism’ MORE (R-Ky.) said about the bill on Friday. “But it’s also a tremendous opportunity: to direct our national security priorities to reflect the resolve of the American people and the evolving threats to their safety, at home and abroad.”

The veto fight over the NDAA is in many ways a culmination of years-long, deep divisions between Congress and the president when it comes to defense and national security policy, which started almost as soon as Trump took over the White House with a months-long fight over Russia sanctions.

“President Trump tried to make this vote a loyalty test and an overwhelming majority of U.S. Senators demonstrated their loyalty to the common defense and to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who defend our nation. … This vote was undoubtedly a bipartisan rebuke of President Trump.  He tried to use our troops as political pawns and distort what this bill is about. In the end, he lost,” Sen. Jack ReedJack ReedCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Biden calls for the nation to ‘unite, heal and rebuild in 2021’ Lawmakers share New Year’s messages: ‘Cheers to brighter days ahead’ MORE (D-R.I.) said in a statement after Friday’s vote. 

The president warned for months that he would veto the defense bill, which will now become law for the 60th year in a row, over language included in both the initial House and Senate bills requiring the Pentagon to change the names of Confederate-named military bases and installations.

As it became increasingly clear that Congress was moving forward with the bill, Trump also lashed out at the legislation because it did not include a repeal of Section 230, a legal shield for tech companies, which GOP lawmakers argued was not related to the defense bill.

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Trump’s veto statement also took aim at other parts of the legislation, including restrictions on his ability to remove troops from Afghanistan and Germany.

“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,” he wrote.

Trump’s decision to veto the bill — which came a day after McConnell publicly said he hoped the president would back down — forced Republicans to decide in the administration’s twilight whether to stick with a bill that initially passed with veto-proof majorities or side with the president, who maintains a vise-like grip on the party’s base.

Trump, while largely focused on challenging President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump calls Georgia Senate runoffs ‘both illegal and invalid’ in New Year’s tweets Judge dismisses Gohmert’s election suit against Pence Ex-GOP senator suggests forming new party, calls Trump ‘ringmaster’ of Republicans MORE‘s win, lashed out this week at congressional Republicans, tweeting that “weak and tired Republican ‘leadership’ will allow the bad Defense Bill to pass.”

“Negotiate a better Bill, or get better leaders, NOW! Senate should not approve NDAA until fixed!!!” he added.

More than 100 Republican lawmakers in the House ultimately broke with Trump to support the veto override earlier this week. On Friday, only seven of the Senate’s 52 GOP senators voted to uphold Trump’s veto: Mike BraunMichael BraunCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Republicans desperate to avoid floor fight over Electoral College vote Congress set to blow past shutdown deadline amid coronavirus talks MORE (Ind.), Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Hawley jams GOP with Electoral College fight Hawley to challenge Electoral College results in Senate MORE (Ark.), Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Hawley jams GOP with Electoral College fight Hawley to challenge Electoral College results in Senate MORE (Texas), Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyEx-GOP senator suggests forming new party, calls Trump ‘ringmaster’ of Republicans Georgia keeps Senate agenda in limbo Frustrations flare as ,000 checks blocked for fourth straight day MORE (Mo.), John KennedyJohn Neely KennedyMORE (La.), Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Year-end deal creates American Latino, women’s history museums Republicans desperate to avoid floor fight over Electoral College vote MORE (Utah) and Rand PaulRandal (Rand) Howard PaulPelosi announces proposed rules package for incoming Congress Congress overrides Trump veto for the first time Hawley jams GOP with Electoral College fight MORE (Ky.). 

No senator spoke against the defense bill before the Senate voted to override the president’s veto, though a handful spoke briefly in favor of it. The seven Republicans who voted “no” were the same Republicans who voted against the final NDAA last month, meaning Trump didn’t pick up any GOP support to try to prevent the override after vetoing the bill. 

Some Republican senators did flip their vote to support Trump’s veto after they had initially supported the defense bill’s passage over the summer.

Cruz, Cotton and Hawley each initially voted for the Senate’s bill in July but flipped and opposed the final version, which is worked out as a compromise between the House and Senate. 

“As this massive bill was written and then rushed to a vote, some seem to have forgotten to consult with the commander in chief or recall that he has a veto power,” Cotton said during a Senate floor speech last month explaining his decision to oppose the final bill. 

Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamGraham bucks McConnell: ,000 payments ‘not socialism’ Congress overrides Trump veto for the first time Bill to raise checks to K blocked for third day in Senate MORE (R-S.C.), who supported the NDAA in both July and December, had indicated that he would oppose overriding Trump’s veto but didn’t vote on Friday. GOP Sens. Kelly LoefflerKelly LoefflerTrump calls Georgia Senate runoffs ‘both illegal and invalid’ in New Year’s tweets Georgia keeps Senate agenda in limbo Congress overrides Trump veto for the first time MORE (Ga.) and David PerdueDavid PerdueTrump calls Georgia Senate runoffs ‘both illegal and invalid’ in New Year’s tweets Georgia keeps Senate agenda in limbo Obama shares New Year’s message: ‘Our best days are still ahead’ MORE (Ga.), who face runoff elections on Tuesday, also didn’t vote, though Perdue is in quarantine after coming in contact with an individual who tested positive for the coronavirus. 

Several GOP senators told The Hill that they had not heard from Trump or the White House in the days leading up to Friday’s vote trying to sway them to vote against the override.

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“I think it was more about making a statement than anything else,” said Sen. John CornynJohn CornynFrustrations flare as ,000 checks blocked for fourth straight day Congress overrides Trump veto for the first time Hawley jams GOP with Electoral College fight MORE (R-Texas.).

Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneGeorgia keeps Senate agenda in limbo Frustrations flare as ,000 checks blocked for fourth straight day Trump again calls for Noem to primary Thune despite her refusal MORE (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, said he had not heard from the White House about trying to get him to change his vote and he didn’t know of any other Senate Republicans who had heard from the administration either.

Sen. Kevin CramerKevin John CramerCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Hawley jams GOP with Electoral College fight House Democratic Rep. Rick Larsen tests positive for COVID-19 MORE (R-N.D.), who is close to Trump, said he has “never been lobbied” by the White House or Trump on the defense bill. 

“My observation and my theory on this is — I actually think this is one situation where the president was able to have it both ways. He could make his point and know that the military would still get its authorization,” Cramer said. 

In the House, the veto split GOP leadership, with Rep. Liz CheneyElizabeth (Liz) Lynn CheneyCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Trump rips GOP leaders for allowing veto override This week: Trump’s grip on Hill allies faces test MORE (Wyo.), the No. 3 House Republican and highest-ranking GOP woman, voting to override and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthyKevin Owen McCarthyCongress overrides Trump veto for the first time Biden calls for the nation to ‘unite, heal and rebuild in 2021’ NJ Republican pushes for Ways and Means seat a year after switching parties MORE (R-Calif.) sticking with Trump. 

But in many ways the veto override was pre-baked.  

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House Democratic leadership had signaled for weeks that they expected to override Trump’s veto, marking the first time either chamber had a successful override vote. Before the NDAA fight Trump had issued eight vetoes, none of which had been successfully challenged by the House or Senate. 

And McConnell took much of the drama out of the Senate action when he signaled earlier this week that he believed he had the votes to override Trump’s veto. 

“For the brave men and women of the United States armed forces, failure is simply not an option. So when it’s our time in Congress to have their backs, failure is not an option either,” McConnell said. “I would urge my Republican colleagues to support this legislation one more time when we vote.”

Including Friday, Congress has overridden 112 vetoes throughout U.S. history. The last time a president’s veto was overridden was in September 2016 when then-President Obama opposed a bill allowing families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia.

Trump is the first president to get a veto overridden during his first four years since President Clinton.

—Updated at 3:12 p.m.

A 16-year-old and a U.S. Army soldier were charged following the death of a corporal at Fort Drum in New York, according to Sussex County, N.J., prosecutors.

The Army confirmed late last year the death of 20-year-old Cpl. Hayden Allen Harris after he was found dead in a remote part of northern New Jersey. At the time, foul play was suspected. 

According to the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, 23-year-old Spc. Jamaal Mellish and an unidentified teenager have been charged in the corporal’s death. They face charges of felony murder and kidnapping as well as second-degree weapons charges. Additionally, Mellish was charged with third-degree suppression of evidence.

Harris was reported missing before his death. Firefighters discovered his body after seeing traces of blood along the road during an annual holiday ride, NBC News reported. 

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Investigators found he was shot to death and buried under snow in a wooded area of Byram Township, N.J., on Dec. 19, according to the news source.

“The top of the snow was stained with what appeared to be blood,” said a statement from law enforcement, according to the news outlet. “During a search of the disturbed area in the snow, the victim’s body was found approximately 200 yards into the wooded area mostly buried under snow.”

Officials said that both Mellish and Harris were meeting to exchange vehicles — a Ford Mustang for a Chevy pickup truck. 

A Sussex County assistant prosecutor alleged Mellish “abducted” Harris during the planned car exchange.

It is not immediately clear the specific role the teen played in allegedly assisting Mellish in Harris’s death.

Harris was posthumously promoted to corporal and granted the Army Commendation Medal, which honors soldiers for heroic action, achievements or service.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian predicted that the company will reach positive cash flow by the spring in a Friday memo obtained by The Hill. 

Bastian sent a memo to Delta staff expressing cautious optimism for the year ahead, forecasting that the company will go through “two distinct phases during the next 12 months.”

“The first will look a lot like 2020, with travel demand deeply depressed and our focus on ensuring the health and safety of our people and customers,” he said. 

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“The second phase will begin only when we reach a turning point with widely available vaccinations that spur a significant return to travel, particularly business travel,” Bastian continued. “We continue to expect that we will achieve positive cash flow by the spring.”

The chief executive did acknowledge that he expects “the next 12 months to be even more challenging” than 2020, saying the company will “need to be nimble, ready to adjust our course and adapt to an ever-changing environment” amid the uncertainty. 

Bastian had told investors in October that the airline intends to pay down its debt once it has positive cash flow.

Like most airlines, Delta took a hit this year, with revenues dropping 76 percent to $3.1 billion in the third quarter compared to in 2019. The company had banned middle seats until March 30 amid concerns about the coronavirus, according to Reuters.  

Travel boosted in the days surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas, with millions of people being screened by the Transportation Security Administration, despite health officials warning against it as coronavirus has surged in the country. 

The U.S. surpassed 20 million COVID-19 cases on New Year’s Day.

Rep. Deb HaalandDeb HaalandBiden Interior nominee discusses environmental injustice with tribal leaders Biden needs to make good on environmental justice promises The Memo: Left seeks leverage to move Biden MORE (D-N.M.) discussed environmental injustice with tribal leaders on Monday in her first meeting after being named President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenMichigan mayor draws criticism with Facebook posts suggesting rebellion: report Trump names Roisman acting SEC chairman Biden Interior nominee discusses environmental injustice with tribal leaders MORE’s nominee to lead the Department of the Interior. 

In the meeting, Haaland committed to “fully” honoring the U.S.’s treaty obligations to tribal nations and working with leaders to address the “disproportionate harm” Native Americans face “from long-running environmental injustices” and climate change.

Haaland, if confirmed, would become the first Native American Cabinet secretary in U.S. history.

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The New Mexico lawmaker told leaders at the meeting that she plans to work toward Biden’s goal of using the climate crisis to create “good-paying union jobs” and promote clean energy sources, according to Biden’s transition team. 

Haaland — who was joined in the meeting by Rep. Cedric RichmondCedric RichmondBiden Interior nominee discusses environmental injustice with tribal leaders Incoming Democratic House members sidestep questions on voting for Pelosi as speaker Democrats set to clash in special House elections MORE (D-La.), a Biden adviser, and incoming White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Julie Rodriguez — pledged to have “early, frequent and meaningful consultation with tribal leaders on all decisions that affect indigenous communities.”

Biden’s pick for Haaland to lead the Department of Interior has triggered excitement among Native Americans who expect to finally have representation in the administration. 

The Department of the Interior, which works with the U.S.’s 574 federally recognized tribes, oversees the Bureau of Indian Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which organizes law enforcement on reservations. 

The department has long been criticized for its management of U.S. relations with tribes, including what critics say is a lack of attention toward a series of missing and killed Native American women. 

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Still, Haaland expressed optimism ahead of her potential leadership at the agency in an interview with The Washington Post earlier this month.

“I think it’s wonderful that our country is progressing in that manner, that a Cabinet-level position filled by a Native American is a conversation that we’re having right now,” she said.

“We have to include Native Americans in the conversation because this was all Indian country at one time,” she added. “They deserve to be consulted when decisions about our public lands are made. We’ve seen that play out in real time during this administration and what happens when you don’t consult tribes.”

An explosion at a Yemen airport on Wednesday following the arrival of a plane carrying the country’s newly-formed Cabinet killed at least 16 people and injured about 60 others. 

According to The Associated Press, none of the passengers on the government plane that landed in the city of Aden were hurt, though AP footage from the scene showed several of the ministers running back inside the plane or down the stairs looking for shelter from the blast. 

The AP reported that the explosion’s source was not immediately clear, with no group immediately claiming responsibility. 

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Officials at the scene reportedly saw bodies on the tarmac and throughout the airport as smoke spread out near the terminal building. 

One plane passenger, Yemeni Communication Minister Naguib al-Awg, told the AP that he heard two explosions, adding that he suspected the explosion was the result of an attack. 

“It would have been a disaster if the plane was bombed,” he told the newswire. 

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One Yemeni official, who like others spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said three Red Cross workers were among those injured in the blast, though it was not clear if they were citizens of Yemen. 

The U.N. special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, released a statement on Twitter to “strongly condemn” the attack. 

“I wish the Cabinet strength in facing the difficult tasks ahead,” Griffiths added. “This unacceptable act of violence is a tragic reminder of the importance of bringing #Yemen urgently back on the path towards peace.”

The government ministers were sworn into their positions last week following a deal with Yemen’s southern separatists amid the country’s years-long civil war. 

Yemen’s government has been working in a self-imposed exile in the Saudi capital of Riyadh throughout the conflict. 

Earlier this month, Yemeni president Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi announced a reshuffling of the government in which the incumbent prime minister, Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, would keep his job while 24 ministerial posts would have nearly equal representation of both northerners and southerners, the AP reported.

– The new General Manager of WWE Saturday Morning Slam will be announced on today’s show. The official WWE website released the following synopsis previewing the program: “This Saturday, March 16, after a three-week search, the most exciting and fast-paced show in Saturday morning television — “WWE Saturday Morning Slam” — gets a new General Manager! Tune in to The CW at 10:30 a.m. to find out who it is, and watch exciting new episodes of “WWE Saturday Morning Slam” every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.!”

– Brodus Clay, WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn and Josh Mathews appeared at a ‘be a STAR’ anti-bullying rally to benefit The Rotary Club of Stamford. Click here to view photos from the event.

– Former WWE Champion CM Punk appeared at Friday’s Raw live event in Bridgeport, Connecticut with Paul Heyman, but did not compete after reportedly suffering an arm injury during a match against Kane on Monday’s Raw. According to a reader at the show, Punk cut a promo building his scheduled match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 29, while also holding the urn he stole on Raw.

According to F4WOnline.com, the injury is not believed to be serious, but was enough to prevent him from competing Friday.

CM Punk appears at WWE show on Friday with the urn – photos ->