US Senate Democrats block $1.15 trillion defense bill over Iran war objections

U.S. Senate Democrats blocked a $1.15 trillion annual defense policy bill on Tuesday, citing frustration with the Iran war and President Donald Trump's failure to consult with Congress about his decision to send U.S. forces into the conflict.



"Trump started this war without authorization, without a strategy, and without an exit," Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Senate's Democratic leader, said in a Senate speech announcing he would vote no.



The procedural vote on the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, failed. Even though the yes votes outnumbered no votes by 50-46, the bill fell short of the 60 votes needed to move ahead in the 100-member Senate.



The vote was along party lines. Every Republican voted in favor of moving ahead except for the chamber's Republican majority leader, John Thune of South Dakota, who voted no under Senate rules only in order to enter a motion to reconsider.