Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) said Tuesday that he is considering blocking the defense authorization bill currently under debate in Congress unless senators are allowed to propose amendments, according to Roll Call.
“How many years has it been since we’ve had an NDAA with no amendments? It’s never happened. Here’s half of our discretionary spending, authorization for it, why would we shut off the right to have amendments?” he said. “I’m not about to give up my right to offer amendments because somebody wants to get a bill through that hasn’t been fully vetted.”
A spokesperson for Coburn said that the senator is looking into multiple options to keep the Senate from proceeding with the bill.
“He’ll use every procedural tool he can to force a full and open debate on our national defense. Shutting off debate on Congress’ most important area of responsibility is ludicrous,” spokesman John Hart told Roll Call.
In order to pass the defense bill before Congress leaves for recess before the end of the year lawmakers are looking to push the bill through both chambers quickly without considering amendments like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-NY) measure on sexual assaults in the military. Those proposals would then be considered separately.
