Senate Democrats voted down a sweeping defense bill in protest of the war in Iran on Tuesday, dealing a setback to Republicans on what is ordinarily a bipartisan piece of legislation.
In a 50-46 vote, Republicans attempted to begin debate on the National Defense Authorization Act but were blocked by Democrats who called the bill a “permission slip” for the Iran conflict.
All Democrats in the chamber on Tuesday opposed the measure, which sets policy priorities for the Pentagon each year. Republicans needed just a handful of votes to clear the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster.
The vote comes after a fragile ceasefire with Iran fell apart. In recent days, Iran has resumed its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for the world’s energy supply, and the United States has launched new waves of strikes.
President Donald Trump notified Congress of the renewed conflict in a Friday letter designed to give the administration another 60 days under the War Powers Act. The U.S. and Israel first launched the war in February, in part to force Iran to dismantle its nuclear program.
Democrats signaled last month that they would vote against the bill en masse when it came to the Senate floor. Nine out of the 13 Democrats on the Armed Services Committee opposed the NDAA when it was marked up in June.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) gave an even clearer sign ahead of Tuesday’s vote, announcing he was a “strong no” and accusing Trump of abusing the War Powers Act, which places guardrails on a president’s use of military force.
“Republicans want the Senate to take up the NDAA, the defense bill, as though none of this is happening — as though Congress can debate the nation’s central national security bill while ignoring the nation’s most urgent national security crisis,” Schumer said.
“We cannot,” he added. “I will be voting no.”
MIKE LEE SAYS JUDICIARY CHAIRMANSHIP ‘HARD TO TURN DOWN’ IF GOP KEEPS SENATE MAJORITY
Ahead of the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) urged Democrats not to pursue the “politics of obstruction,” highlighting the pay raise for troops in the bill and national security threats facing the U.S.
Last year’s NDAA passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 77-20 vote.