Senate Democrats Threaten Blockade of $1.15 Trillion Defense Bill

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) has emerged as a key obstacle to the $1.15 trillion package, vowing to block the bill unless it includes an amendment explicitly barring funds for the Iran campaign. Duckworth characterized the massive spending request not as a strategic necessity, but as a path toward an indefinite conflict that lacks public or legislative mandate.

Support for the legislation is precarious ahead of Tuesday's 2:40 pm ET vote, which requires 60 votes to clear the floor. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) noted that achieving this threshold remains difficult, while Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) dismissed the bill entirely, labeling it an unauthorized war funding vehicle. Critics, including the advocacy group Just Foreign Policy, are urging members to leverage the power of the purse to force the administration into compliance.

Beyond the primary budget, the White House is seeking an additional $67 billion in supplemental Pentagon funding. This push follows the president's recent notification to Congress regarding new strikes, which he claims align with the 1973 War Powers Act. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has countered that the administration’s attempt to reset the law’s 60-day clock lacks any legal foundation, prompting his introduction of a new resolution aimed at curbing the president's unilateral military authority.