Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked an effort to begin debate on the annual defense policy bill, raising fresh doubts about whether Congress can quickly resolve fights over the Iran war and military spending.
The Senate voted 50-46 along party lines to proceed to the National Defense Authorization Act, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance. The failed vote leaves one of Congress’ most reliable annual bills stalled.
Filibustering the must-pass bill reflects intense Democratic opposition to President Donald Trump’s wars. Even national security-minded Democrats, who typically support annual defense bills, balked at providing what they view as a blank check for a conflict Congress never approved.