The Defense Authorization Act was in trouble. Some nutty right-wingers were going to oppose it. Fortunately for Speaker Mike Johnson, and unfortunately for everyone else, the votes to pass it were there:
The tally was 216-212, with six Democrats voting for the bill and seven Republicans voting against it.
The lawmakers who crossed the aisle were Republican Reps. Josh Brecheen (Okla.), Tim Burchett (Tenn.), Eli Crane (Ariz.), Harriet Hageman (Wyo.), Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.), Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Chip Roy (Texas); and Democratic Reps. Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (N.C.), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Adam Gray (Calif.) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.).
I understand that the Democrats who voted for this were the “usual suspects,” but Jeffries could have tried to delay the vote with the promise that they could eventually vote for it. I guess they’re either so far in the pockets of defense contractors, or so askerit of the attack ads in their district, that even holding off a vote on the bill was a bridge too far.
The bill also includes “a provision to expand the U.S. military’s collaboration with Israel’s defense forces on weapons and intelligence development.” Since they’ve been such a great ally so far (that’s sarcasm)…
The other big news about our failed war in Iran:
Donald Trump signed a nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia on Wednesday that could enable the kingdom to enrich its own uranium for nuclear reactions.
The US energy secretary, Chris Wright, and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, signed “a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement” and “an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement,” according to a statement from the US Department of Energy.
The timing of the announcement is controversial, as the US’s war with Iran is being fought in part to prevent Tehran enriching uranium domestically and make it near-impossible for Iran to build a nuclear weapon.
The US-Saudi deal is expected to last 30 years and involve US firms such as Westinghouse in developing the programme.
Gee, it’s hard to imagine what could go wrong with this idiotic plan. In an administration that foolishly followed the law, this would require some kind of Congressional authorization, I assume. Fortunately for the Trump Administration, they can do whatever they want, with the help of a few “Democrats”.
Anyway, back to the war. Democrats have typically struggled criticizing war while still respecting the sacrifice of soldiers. I thought James Talarico did a good job here:
