House lawmakers voted 216-212, almost entirely along party lines, to pass HR 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027.
Republicans voted 209-7 in favor, while Democrats voted 205-6 against the measure. Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Don Davis (NC), Jared Golden (Maine), Vicente Gonzalez (Texas), Adam Gray (Calif.), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) voted „yes.“ Independent Rep. Kevin Kiley of California also voted in favor of the bill.
Though Golden, who is not seeking reelection this year, was an original cosponsor of the resolution (H.Con.Res.75) offered by fellow Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) back in March, he became the deciding vote in the 212-212 tie when it finally hit the floorâeven as two Republicans broke with their party for the first time to support such a measure.
As The Washington Post notes, the resolution was âproposed early in the war by a faction of pro-Israel DemocratsâGolden among themâas a compromise intended to win some Republican backing.â While it did win three Republican votes in the end, it was Golden who helped sink it.
The House on Thursday narrowly defeated a War Powers Resolution that would have directed President Trump to end the US war against Iran, as the US continues to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports and is considering restarting the full-scale bombing campaign.
The bill failed in a tie vote of 212-212, with three Republicans â Reps. Thomas Massie (KY), Tom Barret (MI), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA) â voting in favor of ending the war. Just one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden (ME), voted no.
In a statement, the Marine Corps veteran said the U.S. and Iran are currently negotiating „over critical questions of national security and international order“ during a tenuous ceasefire.
„I believe we must maintain a strong negotiation position over Iranâs nuclear program, freedom of movement in the international waters at the Strait of Hormuz, and how to achieve a durable peace between our two nations,“ said Golden, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. „At this moment, a resolution like this would weaken our hand.“