Senate Democrats Block Military Pay and Resources – Again

“If anything was needed to demonstrate just how fundamentally uninterested Democrats are in supporting our troops - and defending our country - just take a look at this vote!” - Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.)

DESPITE PASSING OUT OF COMMITTEE WITH AN OVERWHELMINGLY BIPARTISAN 26-3 VOTE, DEMOCRATS BLOCKED CONSIDERATION OF THE CRITICAL FY26 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT

“I won’t vote just for the defense appropriations bill, even though that’s my bill.” – Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Chris Coons (D-Del.)

“Senate Democrats on Thursday turned an annual Pentagon funding bill into the collateral damage of a fierce shutdown battle... 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.” (Politico: Senate Democrats tank military funding bill amid shutdown feud – 10/16/25)

“The defense measure in July passed out of the Appropriations Committee with strong Democratic support — 26 to 3 — but the political calculus has changed since then because of the government shutdown, which has now dragged into its third week.” (The Hill: GOP, Thune surprise Democrats, daring them to block defense spending bill during shutdown – 10/15/25)

Republicans “were quick to note on Wednesday that the bill advanced in late July by an overwhelming majority, and that the current state of play should change little about how they consider the funding item now.” (The Hill: Senate GOP, Thune throw curveball into shutdown fight – 10/15/25)

“Thune wants to make good on his promises for a bipartisan funding process. And a failed vote would allow Republicans to hammer Democrats for blocking a bill that would restore military paychecks.” (Punchbowl News: A massive week in the battle for control of the House – 10/15/25)

The defense appropriations bill “would fund military paychecks that could be on the line again if the shutdown drags on until the end of the month.” (The Hill: Senate GOP, Thune throw curveball into shutdown fight – 10/15/25)

At the time of its passage out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Democrat appropriators heaped praise on the legislation:
- “[T]his legislation invests in our most important security asset: our brave men and women in uniform—from a pay increase for servicemembers to robust child care funding to new investments in preventing suicide, and sexual assault, and conducting lifesaving medical research.” – Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.)
- “First and foremost, it takes care of our troops with pay raises and quality of life improvements. It also recognizes that we are confronting a world more dangerous today than at any time since the Cold War, and that we all need to sober up, put politics aside, and get to work.” – Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Chris Coons (D-Del.)

DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST PROGRAMS OUTLINED IN THE NDAA THAT THEY SAID WERE VITAL TO BOTH THE COUNTRY AND THEIR STATES

“At a time when we face numerous complex threats around the globe, this legislation makes much-needed investments in shipbuilding, expands critical munitions production, provides support for our allies, and funds drone and counter-drone technologies that are increasingly changing the battlefield. This bill also invests in the brave men and women that make up our Armed Forces, showing our continued commitment to their readiness, well-being, and mission success.” – Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine)

These are the funding measures Democrats just voted against considering:

“Service Members: $193.1 billion for the pay and benefits of service members and families, which fully funds both the 3.8% pay raise for all service members and the 10% additional pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers.”
“Military Readiness: $302.8 billion for the sustainment of operations, weapons, training, and readiness activities.”
“Procurement and Research and Development (R&D): $171.3 billion for the procurement of weapon systems and $140.5 billion for research, development, and testing of platforms.”
“Army: $29.1 billion for procurement and $15.3 billion in R&D.”
“Navy: $70.8 billion for procurement and $27.4 billion in R&D.”
“Air Force: $59.8 billion in procurement and $49.3 billion in R&D.” (U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations: Senate Committee Approves FY 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill – 7/31/25)

By opposing the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act this week, Democrats also voted against funding programs and initiatives in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that they considered vital just last week:

- “This bipartisan legislation will bolster U.S. national security by investing in our military and its personnel.” – Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)
- “This defense authorization bill makes major investments in Connecticut’s worldclass manufacturing base.” – Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
- “I helped secure critical wins for Arizona so that we remain a critical hub for the U.S. military, from providing critical resources to Davis-Monthan and Ft. Huachuca bases to supporting our military families.” – Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)
- “This NDAA invests in our troops – and our state – so they can continue to keep us safe.” – Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.)
- “[D]o right by those who sacrifice so much for our security.” – Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
- “I’m proud to have helped craft and pass a strong, bipartisan defense bill that delivers for our servicemembers and enhances our military readiness. This legislation includes provisions I fought for to strengthen Nevada’s key national security installations, provide our servicemembers with a well-earned pay raise…” – Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.)
- “This legislation will strengthen our military, provide greater support to servicemembers, bolster our technological capabilities, and address challenges across the globe.” – Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.)

DEMOCRATS BLOCKED TROOP PAY AND HARMED DEFENSE READINESS IN A CALLOUS ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN THEIR PERCEIVED POLITICAL LEVERAGE IN KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN

“Internally, Democrats are split on whether voting to support the defense bill is the best strategic move in the middle of a partisan government shutdown battle. During their closed-door Wednesday caucus meeting, some Democrats argued it would be bad to be seen as voting against funding troops and the Defense Department, per multiple sources.” (Axios: Senate Dems tease hardball defense spending strategy – 10/15/25)

“The Democrats’ position is somewhat undermined by a lack of clarity about what it would take to get them to vote to reopen the federal government.” (The Hill: GOP seeks to wrest back momentum from Democrats in shutdown fight – 10/16/25)

“Democrats have rejected a proposal to reopen the government in exchange for a vote on extending the expiring health insurance subsidies.” (The Hill: GOP seeks to wrest back momentum from Democrats in shutdown fight – 10/16/25)

“Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) and other Democratic leaders have demanded a negotiation with Trump and GOP leaders, but they haven’t said what precisely they would need to support a short-term funding bill.” (The Hill: GOP seeks to wrest back momentum from Democrats in shutdown fight – 10/16/25)

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) outright admitted he’s prioritizing preserving Democrats’ leverage in their shutdown over supporting military families:
- “Sen. Mark Kelly argued now is not the time for Democrats to give up leverage, as the party continues to push for an agreement to extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies…” (Politico: GOP dares Dems to buck bipartisan spending bill – 10/16/25)

- “That should be the focus. Not a single defense appropriations bill.” – Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.)
- But when Sen. Kelly voted to pass the NDAA last week, he said, “Right now, too many military families are facing uncertainty about their pay and livelihoods because of this shutdown, but our servicemembers continue to show up every day. They deserve better.” (Sen. Kelly: Kelly Secures Major Arizona and National Priorities in the Senate Passed Annual Defense Bill – 10/10/25)

DEMOCRATS USED TO RECOGNIZE THE ADVERSE IMPACTS GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS HAVE ON DEFENSE READINESS

“There is no substitute for robust, full-year defense appropriations. In this era of major power competition, security for future generations of Americans means steady, consistent, predictable, increasing investments in the common defense, year after year.” – Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)

“You can’t run a military with a 6-month funding patch… It would slow down everything: insufficient resources for recruitment and troop pay increases and research.” – Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) (9/12/24)
“That kind of chaos does nothing to help ensure our federal resources are used most effectively to serve the people we represent. It causes federal agencies to waste time and money instead of working to ensure every dollar we appropriate serves our constituents. We cannot play politics with our children's future.” – Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) (4/30/24)
“I think we all agree that a continuing resolution or government shutdown would be a disaster.” – Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) (5/22/23)
“And the single most effective way that this committee can support the department in our outstanding troops is with an on time full year appropriation.” – Then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (5/11/23)