Senate Democrats on Thursday turned an annual Pentagon funding bill into the collateral damage of a fierce shutdown battle, blocking the legislation as they pressed for an agreement that includes their domestic priorities.
The defense funding bill — including a military pay raise — fell far short of the 60 votes needed to advance. All but three Democrats opposed the move by Republicans to open debate on the bill. It failed in a 50-44 vote, as many Democrats argued the Senate should instead focus on a deal to end the shutdown.
Republicans effectively dared Democrats to oppose the typically bipartisan measure, arguing it would shore up military pay and national security.
Majority Leader John Thune floated packaging the Pentagon bill with domestic spending measures important to Democrats, including funding for the labor, health and education programs, after the Senate began debate on it.
