Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked the annual defense policy package, a must-pass piece of legislation that usually passes with large bipartisan support, amid their objections over the war in Iran.
The vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, was 50-46.
There are still several months until the deadline to pass the package, but the Senate’s inability to advance the measure shows how deep divisions over the war could affect policy and funding for the Pentagon.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, told reporters earlier Tuesday that he sees the package as analogous to backing the war with Iran.
“I think it reflects a decision to continue funding the war, and there’s been no accountability on the part of this administration,” he said. “Before I vote on the NDAA, I want to see the administration come forth with the facts about what its strategy is, as well as its end game in Iran — but basically, approval from Congress as it must do under the War Powers Act.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, another Democrat on the panel, had warned she would not vote to advance the bill unless it included her amendment to halt additional funding for offensive actions in Iran.
“Simply throwing more money at an out-of-control military operation is not strategy. It’s a recipe for a forever war,” she said in a statement Tuesday morning. “The stakes couldn’t be higher, and I cannot support a defense authorization bill that doesn’t include my amendment to end this illegal war.”