Senate Democrats Block Defense Appropriations Bill, Putting Military Readiness at Risk

Senate Democrats blocked the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, which included critical funding for military readiness, the defense industrial base, and support for service members and their families. This is the ninth time Senate Democrats have blocked a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. Despite the importance of the bill, Senate Democrats chose to play partisan politics with national security, putting the readiness of the military at risk. The bill would have funded critical programs, including the Department of Defense's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs, which provide support for students and teachers in low-income and minority areas.

Key Takeaways:

• The Senate Democrats blocked the FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, which includes critical funding for military readiness and support for service members and their families.
• This is the ninth time Senate Democrats have blocked a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government.
• The bill would have funded programs to support STEM education, particularly for students and teachers in low-income and minority areas.
• The bill would have also funded the military's readiness efforts and strengthened the defense industrial base.
• Senate Democrats voted against taking up the FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Act, bringing military readiness to a standstill.
• The bill would have included funding for the Department of Defense's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs.
• Senate Democrats have used their majority power to block bills that benefit the military and the nation's security.
• The FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Act would have funded the Joint Congressional Committee on the National Security of the U.S. and the Gathering of the Armed Forces.

Statistics:

• The FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Act would have provided $731 billion for the Department of Defense.
• The bill would have funded the military's readiness efforts, which have been put into jeopardy due to Senate Democrats' partisan actions.
• The bill would have included $6.5 billion for the military's STEM education programs.
• The FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Act would have funded 47 different programs, including the National Defense Laboratory's biomedical program.

Sources:

• U.S. Senate News
• Statement from U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) on the FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Act