Busy with War in Iran, Trump Gets 'Hammered' at Home
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The renewed escalation of conflict between the United States and Iran has triggered political turmoil in Washington. Democratic senators blocked passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in protest at President Donald Trump’s policy, which they deem to be continually dragging the US into a war with Iran.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said his party could not support deliberation of the defence bill whilst fighting with Iran continues. The NDAA would authorise a defence budget of US1.15trillion, orapproximatelyRp20, 700trillion(atanexchangerateofRp18, 000/US), for the coming fiscal year, including a pay rise for military personnel and funding for the development of unmanned aircraft and anti-drone technology.
“The Republican Party wants the Senate to debate the NDAA as if none of this were happening, as if Congress could discuss the nation’s primary national security bill whilst ignoring the most urgent national security crisis. We cannot do that,” Schumer said, as quoted by The Guardian on Wednesday (15/7/2026).
The postponement of the NDAA debate came amid the most intense exchanges of fire between the US and Iran in recent weeks. The situation has deepened Democratic frustration, as Washington is seen to be continuing its military involvement despite Congress having previously passed a war powers resolution intended to encourage a ceasefire.
In the vote, every Democratic senator present rejected the bill. As a result, the proposal failed to obtain the minimum 60 votes needed to clear the Senate’s procedural threshold and could not proceed to the next stage.
Amid the escalating conflict, Trump had threatened to impose a 20% security fee on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. However, on Tuesday he cancelled the plan, whilst asserting that his administration would continue its blockade of Iranian ports.
In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House, Trump said he did not support charging fees to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“I oppose any fee in that strait. But at the same time, it is not fair that we continue to protect that route for the entire world,” he said.
His remarks did not quell criticism from Schumer, who judged that Trump has no clear strategy for dealing with Iran.
“Trump doesn’t know what he’s doing on Iran, and that is a recipe for a major disaster. He has had no plan and no exit strategy since day one of this reckless war. We are now on day 136 and nothing has changed,” Schumer said firmly.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, condemned the Democrats’ move to block the NDAA. According to him, the manoeuvre was driven more by political interests than by support for the US military.
“The Democratic Party has allowed obstructionist politics to dictate so many of their actions over the past year and a half. I very much hope they will not once again prioritise politics over support for our troops,” Thune said.