Democrats refuse to inch Trump’s massive defense bill forward in protest over Iran war

Nicole Silverio. DCNF

A massive defense funding bill failed to meet the 60-vote threshold in the Senate Tuesday as Democrats protested the Iran war.

Every Senate Democrat on the floor voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a 50 to 46 procedural vote, meaning it could not advance. The move dealt a major blow to Republicans, who sought to deliver on President Donald Trump’s request for a historic $1.5 billion budget for the Pentagon.

The package would provide $1.1 trillion to the Department of Defense, $41 billion to the Department of Energy to manage the nation’s nuclear arsenal and $11 billion to other defense-related activities. It includes a 3.6% pay raise for troops and investments in housing, child care and education for military families.

“Now the White House has formally notified Congress that hostilities have resumed, that American strikes are under way again and our forces remain positioned for more. Yet Republicans want the Senate to take up the NDAA, the defense bill, as though none of this is happening,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the floor.

Trump notified Congress Friday that the U.S. returned to war with Iran. Democratic Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy said Monday that the NDAA would fund the Iran war.

“Tonight the Senate is voting to start debate on the annual defense bill. It’s essentially an Iran War authorization bill. A totally unprecedented 50% increase in spending to fund the war without any meaningful restraints. I’m voting NO,” Murphy said.

Block Field

Senate Majority Leader John Thune switched his vote from “yes” to “no” as a procedural move to allow a motion to reconsider at a later date, which would allow the package to be taken up for another vote.

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Republican Sen. Jim Justice of West Virginia, Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and Democratic California Sen. Alex Padilla were not present for the vote.

The legislation advanced out of the Senate Armed Services Committee on June 11 in a bipartisan 18-9 vote.

The House failed to advance its version of the NDAA in a procedural vote on June 30 after 13 Republicans voted against a rule to debate attaching the Safeguard America Eligibility Act (SAVE) America Act to the legislation. Republican Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna argued that House leadership’s MIRVing plan would allow the Senate to easily remove the election integrity bill from the NDAA.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise voted “no” to allow a motion to reconsider.

The Senate passed a concurrent war powers resolution in June that directed Trump to “remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.”

Dear Readers: As a nonprofit, we are dependent on the generosity of our readers. Please consider making a small donation of any amount here. Thank you!

  All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].