Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that the chamber’s version of the fiscal 2020 NDAA would not be slowed by minority calls this week to delay its passage until after the Democratic presidential debates, CQ reported.
McConnell, speaking from the Senate floor Tuesday, said Democrats will have to filibuster the annual defense policy bill if they want to delay final votes on the measure this week, according the report.
Democrats have sought to slow the NDAA’s passage by including a key amendment that would block the White House from striking Iran without congressional approval, and requesting delay of a vote until after this week’s Democratic presidential debates, according to Roll Call.
“Postpone legislation on our national defense to accommodate the presidential race? In the middle of this ongoing crisis overseas? Come on. Come on,” McConnell said, according to the report.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday called for postponing the NDAA until after the debates so every senator could be present to vote on the Iran amendment.
Democrats will have to decide Wednesday whether to deny cloture on the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, temporarily halting a chamber vote until after the July 4 recess so all senators could vote on the Iran amendment.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has also offered an amendment to end the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which gives the president broad authority to wage military campaigns without congressional approval. Paul has also threatened to stage a filibuster if denied a floor vote on his proposal.
Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tia Dufour