Senate Democrats Block $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill Over Iran War Objections

Democrats in the U.S. Senate have blocked the annual defense policy bill, citing opposition to President Trump's conduct of the war against Iran.

• The Senate procedural vote on the National Defense Authorization Act failed 50-46, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance.
• Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said Trump "started this war without authorization, without a strategy, and without a withdrawal plan," and voted no.
• Republican Senate leader John Thune changed his vote in a procedural move to allow the bill to be reconsidered later, calling it "a good bill" that provides necessary resources for the military.
• Acting Pentagon comptroller Jay Herst told a Senate hearing he had no updated cost estimate for the Iran war, while U.S. officials cited internal estimates of $80–100 billion for replacing munitions and rebuilding damaged bases.