WATCH LIVE: Senate Democrats block $1 trillion annual defense bill in protest over Iran war

Senate Democrats successfully blocked a $1 trillion annual defense bill on Tuesday, halting the advancement of a bipartisan package that included a significant increase in Pentagon spending and a pay raise for troops. The Democrats' opposition stems from their protest against President Donald Trump's ongoing war in Iran, which has now entered its fifth month without a clear resolution.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York led the charge against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). He argued that the bill should not serve as an endorsement for the administration's actions. "The NDAA cannot become a permission slip for that recklessness that we see occurring in Iran," Schumer declared ahead of the vote. "Donald Trump does not get to drag the American people deeper into a war he cannot explain and does not know how to end, and then demand that Congress look the other way."

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The NDAA cannot become a permission slip for that recklessness that we see occurring in Iran. Donald Trump does not get to drag the American people deeper into a war he cannot explain and does not know how to end, and then demand that Congress look the other way.

The vote, which failed 50-46 largely along party lines, occurred just one day after the White House formally notified Congress of its resumption of bombing strikes against Iran. This action effectively dismantled a fragile ceasefire in the conflict, which has been led by the U.S. and Israel and has caused significant economic disruptions, including volatile gas prices ahead of the midterm elections.

Despite repeated attempts by Congress to impose restrictions on the administration's war powers, most Republicans in both the House and Senate have backed Trump. Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended the defense package, urging colleagues to provide necessary resources for national security. He later switched his vote in a procedural move to allow the bill to be reconsidered at a later date. The proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget represents a substantial increase from the previous year's approximately $900 billion, aligning with the White House's 2027 budget request for modernizing the Defense Department.

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We have an obligation here in Congress to ensure that they have everything they need for whatever the mission may be.