The Republicans in the US Senate had demanded binding sanctions against the pipeline, which the Democrats have denied them. The Senate Democratic majority leader Chuck Schumer called the decision “inexplicable and outrageous”.
The Republicans in the US Senate have blocked the passage of the defense budget in the US Senate. Also in the dispute over sanctions for the controversial pipeline project “Nordstream 2” between Russia and Germany. The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) did not get the required 60 “yes” votes, which are usually necessary for a passage in the 100-member Senate, in the vote on Monday at 45:51.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer called the decision “inexplicable and outrageous” and accused Republicans of opposing the military. “Just because a couple of Republicans haven’t got every single concession they insisted on is holding up the process,” he said.
Republicans said they voted no because the Democrats, who narrowly control the procedural issues in the Senate, did not allow enough votes for amendments. Including one that would have imposed binding sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Opponents of the approximately 1200-kilometer-long double tube argue that Europe is thus becoming heavily dependent on Russia.
Senator Jim Inhofe, the senior Republican on the Senate Armed Forces Committee, said the measure will ultimately be passed. “I still support this law and I hope we will get it off the ground soon.”
The NDAA regulates a variety of defense policy issues from the number of ships bought to soldiers’ pay. It was passed for 61 years in a row and is one of the few proposals that enjoys general support in both parties.