Senate Dems tease hardball defense spending strategy

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: msn/Axios

10h


Senate Democrats privately debated on Wednesday how to respond to Senate Majority Leader John Thune's plan to jam them on a vote over funding the Defense Department.

Why it matters: Key Democrats signaled to Axios they were prepared to block a procedural motion to advance the defense funding bill on Thursday.

Still, confusion reigned inside the Democratic caucus on what kind of package Thune (R-S.D.) would ultimately bring to the floor, making it difficult for Democrats to settle on a final strategy.

They insisted they need to know whether Thune will bring a standalone defense bill to the floor — or if he'll pair it with other appropriations packages.

"If we have to vote with no clarity about that, I would vote against proceeding to the House defense approps bill," Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), an appropriator, told Axios on Wednesday.

Between the lines: Thune has yet to publicly indicate whether he plans to package the bills together, although he has said he is open to the idea.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/senate-dems-tease-hardball-defense-spending-strategy/ar-AA1OyptP