Senate Blocks House Defense Funding Bill Amid Shutdown | JQJO

Senators blocked a House-approved bill to fund the U.S. military during the shutdown, voting 50-44—short of the 60 needed under filibuster rules. Three Democrats joined most Republicans in support, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune voted no tactically to keep the effort alive, hours after a broader funding bill also failed. Many House Democrats oppose the measure; Rep. Betty McCollum cited Ukraine aid cuts, vaccine rollbacks, and limits on abortion access. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he’d back a military appropriations bill without House 'poison pills,' while Sen. Jeanne Shaheen voted yes and urged a bipartisan appropriations path.