Peace Garden News

Senate Democrats have voted against proceeding with the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, halting progress on a bill intended to provide funding for U.S. military personnel, their families, and defense readiness initiatives. The move follows previous efforts by Senate Democrats to block a continuing resolution aimed at reopening the federal government.

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, expressed disappointment after supporting the bill’s advancement. “I wish I could say I’m surprised but unfortunately, this has become par for the course for Democrats. They are literally playing not just politics, but hardcore partisan politics with our national security. And of course, that means they’re playing politics with the wellbeing of our troops and their families that sacrifice so much for our freedom and frankly, freedom around the world. Holding the federal government hostage just for these partisan games is awful, it’s so reckless, there’s no way to defend it. Yet somehow, they and their friends and the mainstream media rationalize it. I don’t have much hope that they’re going to come to their senses anytime soon, but we just have to keep trying, keep fighting, keep putting up the bills to fund our government and fund our priorities. Maybe one of these days they’ll come around, maybe after their rowdy weekend with their left-wing nut jobs at the No Kings rallies across the country.”

The blocked legislation was designed to address key defense priorities and ensure ongoing support for military operations and personnel.