Senators Block Pentagon Bill Over Iran War and US-Israeli Military Integration
Honest, paywall-free news is rare. Please support our boldly independent journalism with a donation of any size.
As expected, members of the Senate Democratic Caucus on Tuesday blocked debate on an annual military spending authorization bill over President Donald Trump’s ongoing illegal war of choice on Iran and provisions for closer US-Israeli military integration.
Upper chamber lawmakers voted 50-46, mostly along party lines, against proceeding with debate on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027.
The Trump administration’s broader national security proposal requests nearly $1.5 trillion in total defense-related spending for 2027, which includes $350 billion in supplemental funding for munitions production, shipbuilding, missile defense, drones, artificial intelligence, and other long-term military programs.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who along with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led the effort to vote down the NDAA in its current form, said on social media: “At a time when millions struggle to pay the bills, virtually every Senate Republican voted for a staggering $1.15 trillion Pentagon bill, which includes funding for the illegal and immoral war in Iran and a special provision to provide even more weapons to Israel with almost zero oversight.”
“It’s time to invest in the American people, not endless war,” he added.
Senators Urge Colleagues to Block NDAA Until Pro-Israel Provisions Are Debated
“I’m a NO on the NDAA,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said on social media. “I can’t support excessive military spending, de facto approval of Trump’s illegal war with Iran, and deeply troubling provisions that force deeper US-Israeli defense and intelligence sharing.”
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said he “cannot support an outrageous $1.15 trillion in military spending while........
