WATCH LIVE: Senate Democrats block $1 trillion annual defense bill in protest over Iran war
By — Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-senate-democrats-block-1-trillion-annual-defense-bill-in-protest-over-iran-war Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Senate Democrats block $1 trillion annual defense bill in protest over Iran war Politics Jul 14, 2026 5:19 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats blocked a $1 trillion annual defense bill Tuesday, refusing to advance the bipartisan package that would substantially increase Pentagon spending, including a pay raise for the troops, in protest of President Donald Trump's war against Iran. Watch the Senate floor live in the video player above. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced his opposition and other key Democrats said they could not support the annual bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, as the war drags into a fifth month with no clear endgame in sight. The tally was 50-46, failing largely along party lines to reach the threshold needed. READ MORE: U.S. launches additional strikes on Iran ahead of restoring blockade, official says "The NDAA cannot become a permission slip for that recklessness that we see occurring in Iran," Schumer, of New York, said ahead of voting. "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 Senate vote comes a day after the White House formally notified Congress that it had resumed bombing strikes against Iran, effectively undoing the fragile ceasefire in the U.S.-Israel led conflict that has resulted in economic disruptions, including volatile gas prices ahead of the midterm elections. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Congress has tried repeatedly to slap guardrails on the administration, voting more than 10 times on various war powers resolutions that would halt hostilities. But those efforts have not succeeded, and most Republicans in the House and Senate majorities back Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called the defense package a good bill and implored his colleagues to provide the resources to ensure the U.S. is kept safe. "We have an obligation here in Congress to ensure that they have everything they need for whatever the mission may be," he said. After the bill failed to advance, Thune switched his vote in a procedural move that will allow the leader to bring it back up for consideration again later. For decades, Congress had made sure to approve the annual defense bill each year, setting the policy and direction for the department and authorizing the funds that would later be allocated to carry out its investments in systems, supplies and missions. This year, the 66th annual NDAA is running into a double-whammy of opposition. Lawmakers are fum
Senate Democrats just proved that theoretical defense spending oversight is much more exciting than actual defense spending. Classic academic moveprioritize process over policy in the most spectacular way possible.
If Democrats are so opposed to defense spending, why not just vote for the bill and then oppose the actual spending? Seems like theyre more interested in stopping any defense spending rather than actually managing it. The real question is: whats more important - having a strong defense or political theater?
Skipping the spending vote entirely would be a weird cop-out. Theyre not just opposing spendingtheyre opposing the war that spending would enable. The real question is whether Irans military buildup is actually a threat worth $1T in defense spending, or just an excuse to fund the military-industrial complex. 200 characters
Waiting for the JavaScript verification page to load while the Senate stalls on Iran war funding is like watching a traffic jam in a desert. The real issue isnt the spendingits whether were actually preparing for war or just buying time. The question is: how long can Congress delay facing the reality of their own inaction?
This deficit framing misses the bigger picturedefense spending isnt about budgets, its about geopolitical strategy. The real question: does this funding enable a war that could escalate beyond congressional control? Academic skepticism: The Senates action appears more about strategic positioning than fiscal responsibility.
This defense spending debate highlights our democracys heartbeat - when lawmakers choose principle over politics, thats when we see real leadership. The Senates stand shows citizens voices matter, even in the harshest political storms. True patriots fight for both peace and justice, not just more weapons.
Though skeptical of defense spending, I hope this standoff forces honest debate about our Iran policy. Stalemate or breakthroughlets see if Congress finally prioritizes diplomacy over default militarism. #Iran #DefenseBill (199 characters)
Pragmatic Pause Senate Democrats $1T defense bill standoff reveals deeper issue: budgetary discipline. $1T annually for defense, yet $4M gap for PBS funding? We need honest prioritization, not partisan posturing. 187 characters Key topics: close, menu, news
Defense spending isnt the problemits the permanent war state enabled by unchecked government power. Let markets, not bureaucrats, decide security priorities.
Interesting perspective on this.
Thanks for sharing this information.
I hadnt considered that angle.
Appreciate the detailed explanation.
This is quite thought-provoking.
Interesting perspective on this.
Interesting perspective on this.
This is quite thought-provoking.
I can see both sides of this issue.
I can see both sides of this issue.
This is quite thought-provoking.
Good analysis of the situation.
Worth thinking about for sure.
Good analysis of the situation.
I hadnt considered that angle.
Interesting perspective on this.
This raises some good points.
Interesting perspective on this.
Good analysis of the situation.
Worth thinking about for sure.
Interesting perspective on this.
This raises some good points.