WASHINGTON: The US Senate defence bill authorising about USD1.15 trillion in military spending stalled on Tuesday. A 50-46 procedural vote fell short of the required 60-vote threshold. Democrats largely opposed opening debate on the fiscal 2027 National Defence Authorisation Act.
They cited President Donald Trump’s military operations against Iran and provisions expanding US defence and intelligence cooperation with Israel.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his party to block the measure. He said advancing the legislation without addressing congressional war powers would give the administration a “permission slip” to continue operations against Iran.
The bill included measures covering joint US-Israel weapons research, defence production and technology integration. It would also require the Pentagon to appoint an official to coordinate bilateral defence technology programmes.
Another provision called for greater “data fusion”, which combines intelligence and sensor information into a shared targeting picture.
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Human Rights Watch raised concerns that the arrangement could expose US agencies to intelligence collected through Israeli surveillance programmes.
Democratic senators Chris Van Hollen, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch had urged colleagues to withhold support. They wanted senators to debate the Iran funding and Israel-related measures first.
A coalition of 14 civil liberties, foreign policy and antiwar groups also sought an amendment. This amendment would bar federal funding for military operations against Iran without congressional authorisation.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune can bring the procedural motion back for reconsideration as party leaders negotiate changes. These changes will be made to the annual defence package.
