The Senate has voted 84-9 to forgo debate on proposed amendments to a spending bill that would authorize $700 billion in Defense Department spending for fiscal 2018, Washington Examiner reported Thursday.
The report said the upper chamber aims to hold a final vote Monday on the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act that includes a provision that seeks to eliminate budget caps.
Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) agreed to include 100 amendments to the NDAA but were unable to negotiate with senators about the scheduling of votes on the proposed changes, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
McCain said he and Reed would try to reach a deal on another package of amendments for the NDAA.
The Senate and House must unite their versions of the defense policy bill before Congress submits the finalized legislation to President Donald Trump for signature.
