WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a sprawling annual defense policy bill that would authorize more than $1 trillion in Pentagon spending, including a pay raise for troops, as they protested President Donald Trump's military actions in Iran and what they described as a lack of congressional oversight in the conflict now entering its fifth month.

The procedural vote on the National Defense Authorization Act failed 50-46, short of the 60 votes needed to advance in the 100-member chamber. The measure, typically a bipartisan priority known as the NDAA, has become entangled in partisan disputes over funding levels and the administration's approach to the Iran conflict.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York led the opposition, announcing that Democrats could not support the legislation amid ongoing hostilities. "The NDAA cannot become a permission slip for that recklessness that we see occurring in Iran," Schumer said ahead of the vote. He added, "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 vote came one day after the White House notified Congress that it had resumed bombing strikes against Iran, disrupting a fragile ceasefire in the U.S.- and Israel-led operations that began earlier this year. The conflict has contributed to regional instability, disruptions in energy markets and higher gas prices heading into midterm elections.

Republicans, who hold the Senate majority, pushed to advance the bill, arguing it provides essential resources for the military regardless of specific missions. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota described it as a good package and urged colleagues to support funding to keep U.S. forces prepared. After the failure, Thune switched........

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