Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a $1 trillion annual defense bill, preventing the advancement of a bipartisan package that proposed significant increases in Pentagon spending and a pay raise for military personnel. The opposition stemmed from protests against President Donald Trump's handling of the conflict with Iran.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced his opposition, with other key Democrats joining him in refusing to support the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as the war entered its fifth month without a clear resolution. The vote, which failed to reach the necessary threshold at 50-46, largely followed party lines.
"The NDAA cannot become a permission slip for that recklessness that we see occurring in Iran," Schumer stated ahead of the vote. "Donald Trump does not get to drag the American people deeper into a war he cannot explain and does not know how to end—and then demand that Congress look the other way."
The Senate vote occurred one day after the White House formally notified Congress of its resumption of bombing strikes against Iran, effectively ending a fragile ceasefire. The conflict, led by the U.S. and Israel, has led to economic disruptions, including volatile gas prices in the lead-up to the midterm elections.
Congress has made multiple attempts to place limits on the administration's actions, with more than 10 war powers resolutions voting to halt hostilities. However, these efforts have not succeeded, and most Republicans in the House and Senate majorities have backed Trump.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune described the defense package as a sound bill and urged colleagues to provide necessary resources for national security. "We have an obligation here in Congress to ensure that they have everything they need for whatever the mission may be," he said.
Following the bill's failure to advance, Thune altered his vote as a procedural move to allow for future reconsideration.
For decades, Congress has consistently approved the annual defense bill, establishing policy and direction for the Department of Defense and authorizing funds for investments in systems, supplies, and missions. This year, the 66th annual NDAA faces dual opposition: lawmakers are expressing frustration over Trump's military actions in Iran and resisting the White House's request to increase Pentagon spending to $1.5 trillion from approximately $900 billion.
This substantial funding increase aligns with the White House's 2027 budget request, as the Trump administration aims for a generational investment to modernize the Department of Defense, referred to as the Department of War under Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth was scheduled to meet with House Republicans on Tuesday evening regarding potential additional funding through a separate budget reconciliation bill.
House GOP leaders have indicated that any reconciliation bill will likely include a smaller amount than the $350 billion requested by the White House, potentially closer to the $87 billion supplemental funding request for Iran made last month. However, some Republican deficit hawks have expressed skepticism about the large budget figures, despite internal party support for the war.
The proposed additional defense funding is on top of $150 billion Republicans previously allocated to the Pentagon last year as part of Trump's tax cuts, funds that some claim have not been fully spent or accounted for.
Additionally, senators are seeking to impose restrictions on Hegseth unless he provides requested information on department procedures and accounts. The Senate bill includes a provision to block the secretary's travel funds until he submits reports, including details on a deadly school strike in Iran at the war's outset.
Democrats are advocating for further limitations, consistent with a war powers resolution, to compel the cessation of military actions. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., a combat veteran, stated she would oppose the bill unless it incorporated her amendment to end the war. "Simply throwing more money at an out-of-control military operation is not strategy. It’s a recipe for a forever war."