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Senate Democrats Block Stand-Alone Defense Bill Amid Shutdown

Senate Democrats Block Stand-Alone Defense Bill Amid Shutdown
Above: U.S. Sen. Chris Coons walks through the Senate Subway on Jan. 27, 2025. Image copyright: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

As long as Republicans refuse to protect Americans' health insurance, Democrats can't back this or any other stand-alone appropriations bill. At every turn, the Trump administration has violated bipartisan agreements and illegally targeted partisan layoffs during the shutdown. Healthcare security matters just as much as national defense when families face bankruptcy from medical costs.

Republican narrative

It's crazy that Democrats have turned their backs on troops by blocking a bipartisan defense bill, yet they're trying to blame the Republicans. This cynical political gamesmanship prioritizes resistance over paying service members and funding national security. Democrats care more about free healthcare for illegal aliens than about supporting the U.S. military.

Metaculus Prediction




© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.17.0

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.17.0