Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, waits to address reporters as the Senate votes on defense spending. McCain’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act passed overwhelmingly. But a related, integral appropriations bill failed due to Democratic objections over the mechanisms used to fund the Pentagon as well as the continuation of sequestration caps on discretionary spending. (The Hill)
Sen. Mark Warner arrives at the hallway outside the Senate chamber doors as senators prepared to hold several votes related to the National Defense Authorization Act. (The Hill)
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), with other Senate Democrats, decries the Republican plan to pass a National Defense Authorization bill that maintains sequestration spending caps but increases the military budget through a separate process via Pentagon war funds. (The Hill)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) calls on the Senate GOP to work with Democrats in crafting a Defense authorization bill that can win President Obama’s signature. After the Obama Administration announced its intention to veto legislation that maintained sequester spending caps, several Democrats implored the Republican majority not to move forward with the legislation as is. (The Hill)
