US Senate Democrats have blocked a motion to begin debate on the Trump administration’s annual defense policy bill. The vote, held on Tuesday, ended 50–46, falling short of the 60 votes required to proceed. As a result, approval of the proposed $1.15 trillion military budget has been temporarily halted.

Democratic senators opposed the bill not only because of President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran but also due to provisions that would deepen military and intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel. They accused the administration of intensifying military actions against Iran without congressional authorization and objected to the overall size of the Pentagon’s proposed budget.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stated before the vote that passing the bill would effectively grant the Trump administration permission to continue military operations against Iran without congressional oversight.