Sen. Rand Paul (R – KY) has blocked a motion by majority leader Mitch
McConnell (R – KY) to advance the 2018 National Defense Authorization
Act (NDAA), the massive military spending bill, saying that the bill should instead face debate and possible amendments. This sets the
This sets the bill back for 6 weeks, at least. In particular, Sen.
Paul is seeking two amendments, one which ends NDAA authorization for
the indefinite detention of suspects, and another related to the
Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), something that was
added to the House version but later quietly removed by the Speaker.
Paul’s protest is expected to delay the NDAA vote through at least the August recess, meaning a vote is unlikely until September.
While this gives plenty of time for amendments to be debated, it’s not
clear the Senate leadership will allow that no matter how much time
they’re given.
Indeed, Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. John McCain (R –
AZ) was critical of any delay on any grounds, insisting the bill and
its huge spending increase are a “solemn obligation” for the Senate to
pass without delay.
