Democratic senators blocked a $1.15 trillion-a-year defense policy bill, citing frustration over the war with Iran and President Donald Trump’s failure to consult with Congress about his decision to mobilize U.S. forces in the conflict.
Schumer’s words
“The president is waging an unauthorized war, defying bipartisan majorities in Congress, refusing to be clear with the American people about the costs, the mission or the exit strategy,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, leader of the Senate Democrats, in a speech to the Senate announcing that he would vote against it.
The vote and the reasons for the stop
The procedural vote on National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) failed due to the lack of a quorum of 60 votes, with a result of 50 to 46. Democrats fear that the authorization of a huge budget for the Pentagon could be interpreted as an approval of the war on Iran, which began with the US and Israeli attacks on February 28.