WASHINGTON: Debate on the annual U.S. defense policy bill has stalled in the Senate after Democratic lawmakers objected to the Trump administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran and raised concerns over provisions expanding military cooperation with Israel.
According to the report, Democrats criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to the Iran conflict and opposed clauses in the proposed legislation that would strengthen military and intelligence coordination between the United States and Israel.
In a procedural vote in the Senate, the measure failed to advance, receiving 50 votes in favor and 46 against. Under Senate rules for the reported motion, 60 votes were required to move the legislation forward in the 100-member chamber.
The Trump administration has proposed a defense policy package reportedly valued at more than $1 trillion.
Among the provisions highlighted in the debate is a proposal requiring the Pentagon to appoint an official responsible for coordinating defense technology cooperation between the United States and Israel.
The bill also includes measures to expand joint weapons research and production and to facilitate the integration of military technologies developed by one country into the defense systems of the other.
Democratic lawmakers argued that Congress should not move forward with the legislation while, in their view, the administration is escalating military actions against Iran.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said approving the bill under the current circumstances would effectively allow President Trump to continue military operations against Iran without sufficient congressional oversight.
“This would amount to giving President Trump permission to continue the Iran war without congressional supervision,” Schumer said, according to the reported remarks.
The legislation has not been approved, and its future in the Senate remains uncertain as lawmakers continue to debate its provisions and broader U.S. policy toward Iran and Israel.
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