Published Jul 14, 2026, 10:03 AM EDT
Members of Congress are drawing lines in the sand on the sweeping defense legislation that requires some Democrats to cross the aisle.
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Published Jul 14, 2026, 10:03 AM EDT
At least one U.S. senator plans to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) if an amendment to put guardrails on the "illegal" war in Iran is not included in the sweeping defense bill's final version. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said Tuesday morning that she will not support the Fiscal Year 2027 NDAA, adding another voice of opposition to legislation that has been scrutinized for different reasons—not only for the military operation in the Middle East but questions about the trillion-dollar budget coupled with U.S. and Israeli defense integration. The fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has seemingly evaporated as the U.S. has struck vessels in the Strait of Hormuz for three consecutive days, with President Donald Trump saying Monday that a naval blockade would be reinstated. The turmoil and rhetoric led to crude oil prices surging again, past $80 on Tuesday. Duckworth's amendment would halt additional funding for offensive operations against Iran while still allowing for self-defense, defense of allies and intelligence gathering. It would also withhold travel funding for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of Defense until DOD produces a report on the impact this war has had on military readiness and the nation’s wounded service members.
