Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked legislation funding U.S. troops and prevented a vote on a bill containing funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Senate Democrats blocked a vote on the fiscal year 2017 defense appropriations bill on Thursday for the second time this month, drawing ire from Republican lawmakers. The bill would appropriate funds for the U.S. armed forces, including funding that goes toward paying American service members.
"I am disappointed that Senate Democrats are irresponsibly blocking the defense appropriations bill. Delaying consideration of this bill jeopardizes our national security and military readiness," Sen. Ron Johnson (R., Wis.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said in a statement.
"The defense of the United States and the American people is the federal government’s top priority. It’s only because of the continued sacrifices of our service members, the finest among us, that we are able to enjoy America’s many freedoms," Johnson continued. "We owe it to our troops to ensure that they have the resources they need to protect themselves and defend our freedoms in the face of continued threats overseas."
Later Thursday, Democrats also prevented a vote on the fiscal year Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Zika Appropriations Conference Report, legislation that contains funding to support the VA and the U.S. response to the Zika Virus.
Thursday was the last day before Congress’ nearly two-month-long recess.
Last week, Democrats used a procedural vote to block the $574 billion defense appropriations bill from coming to the floor over larger issues with the appropriations process.
Ahead of the vote, Democrats threatened to block all appropriations bills unless Republican leaders "publicly give your word that all appropriations bills considered in both chambers and sent to the president for his signature will comply with the principles of fair funding, parity [between defense and non-defense spending], and a rejection of poison pill riders," according to a letter sent to GOP leadership.