WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats on Thursday blocked the Fiscal Year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill for the second time this month. The bill contains the funding necessary to operate America’s armed forces, including pay for service members.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, commented after the vote, "I am disappointed that Senate Democrats are irresponsibly blocking the defense appropriations bill.  Delaying consideration of this bill jeopardizes our national security and military readiness.

“The defense of the United States and the American people is the federal government’s top priority. It’s only because of the continued sacrifices of our service members, the finest among us, that we are able to enjoy America’s many freedoms. We owe it to our troops to ensure that they have the resources they need to protect themselves and defend our freedoms in the face of continued threats overseas.”