Senate Approves $886 billion war budget for FY2024

WAR BUDGET VOTE is bi-partisan again. On July 26, 2023, the Senate in a 86-11 vote (with three Senators not voting) approved the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Bill (S2226).

Once again Oregon's two Senators voted NO.

Others voting no included both Senators from MA (Sen. Markley and Warren) and VT (Sen. Sanders and Welch). In the past Oregon has been the only or one of two states where both Senators voted No. Oregon has frequently been joined by MA).

Once again the No votes were strongly out numbered by the Yes votes. The 11 No votes were 6 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 1 Independent (Bernie Sanders). The Yes votes were almost evenly split between Democrats and Republicans. See the Vote record: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1181/vote_118_1_00212.htm?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email#state

Sen Sanders amendment to cut the budget by 10% was defeated by 88 No to 11 Yes. Amoung the Yes votes to cutting the budget were OR Senators Merkley and Wyden, VT Senators Sanders and MA Senators Warren and Markey. See the vote record https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1181/vote_118_1_00203.htm?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email#position

Neither Sen Merkley nor Sen Wyden issued a press release explaining their vote.