Politics
Bipartisan Senate coalition blocks annual defense bill
Although the NDAA has passed smoothly since 1961, a bipartisan Senate coalition blocked the bill on Monday
November 30, 2021 10:30am
Updated: November 30, 2021 10:30am
Senate Republicans voted with liberal Democrats to block the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Monday, throwing a wrench into lawmakers’ plans to pass the legislation before Congress heads into a packed end of year session, The Hill reported.
The 45-51 vote meant that the 60-member threshold to end debate and advance the measure to a vote was not reached.
Sen. Susan Collins was the only Republican to vote with Democrats to advance the bill, while Democratic Sens. Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden and Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders stood in firm opposition, voting with the 46 GOP senators.
The NDAA has passed with strong bipartisan support since 1961 and lawmakers believe it reflects the Congress’ support for the military. Because it one of the only major bills to pass without partisan scrutiny, it is often stuffed with a buffet of unrelated provisions and is thus watched closely by industry and other interests.
This year, however, the $770 billion Pentagon spending allowance was unpalatable for some Democratic senators who believe the issues such as healthcare, education and climate change should be addressed before handing tax dollars to the military.
Republicans, on the other hand, blocked the legislation noting that Democrats – who control the Senate by a thin margin – blocked amendments including one that would have imposed mandatory sanctions on Russia over the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline.
Although reactions were mixed, Sen. Jim Inhofe – the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee – said he felt confident the measure would eventually pass. "I'm still very supportive of this bill and hope we will pass it soon," he noted.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, on the other hand, blasted Republicans for voting against the troops. "Just because a few Republicans didn't get every single concession they insisted on they are halting the process," he said, calling the vote "inexplicable and outrageous.”
