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It's "the single most embarrassing thing the United States Senate has done possibly since 1983," he told reporters after news of the Senate's 97-1 vote broke earlier in the day.
It was not immediately clear what Earnest was referencing from 1983 and a White House spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for clarification.
The override attempt now goes to the House for a vote, where it is expected to pass. If passed, the legislation becomes law.
President Barack Obama vetoed the bill last week.