US: Democrats stall crucial defence budget in protest against Trump policies

US: Democrats stall crucial defence budget in protest against Trump policies Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 21:07 While different lawmakers had different motivations, the president's approach to Iran and Israel is proving increasingly unpopular A view of the US Capitol dome in Washington, DC on 13 July 2026 (Al Drago/Reuters) Off In rare pushback against a must-pass annual defence budget bill, Democrats in the US Senate on Tuesday collectively voted not to advance the legislation, largely in protest the Trump administration's approaches to Iran and Israel. The bill includes a $1. 1 trillion request for the Pentagon, $41b for the Department of Energy's nuclear arms management, and $11b for other defence-related issues.