Senate Democrats Block $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill Over Iran War and Israel Provisions

The Senate voted 50-46 against advancing the National Defense Authorization Act, falling short of the 60 votes needed for cloture. Democrats objected to proceeding with the must-pass, normally-bipartisan defense bill while President Trump escalates military operations against Iran without new congressional authorization, and also cited a provision deepening US-Israel intelligence and military integration. Senate Majority Leader John Thune switched his vote procedurally to preserve the ability to bring the bill back up later.