Senate Republicans voted against an amendment that aimed to prevent the Pentagon from investing in companies associated with President Donald Trump, his Cabinet, or their families. The amendment was defeated 14-13 during a closed-door markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has a budget of $1.15 trillion. Republican Senator Mike Rounds stated that the amendment was seen as a partisan attack on Trump, which could undermine support for the NDAA.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren confirmed that her amendment would have prohibited the Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital from investing in companies where top executive branch officials or their immediate family members hold significant ownership stakes. Warren criticized the lack of debate on the amendment, calling the current administration the most corrupt in American history.
The vote occurred amid concerns regarding Pentagon loans and contracts awarded to companies connected to Trump and his family, including firms linked to Donald Trump Jr. Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat, emphasized the need for restrictions to prevent taxpayer money from benefiting the Trump family. The amendment was partly motivated by concerns over Vulcan Elements, a company that received a $620 million loan commitment from the Office of Strategic Capital after an investment from a firm associated with Trump Jr.
Warren indicated that she might revive the proposal as a floor amendment when the Senate discusses the bill. Most Senate Armed Services Democrats opposed the NDAA, while Republicans were willing to approve certain provisions within the bill, including restrictions on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel budget related to military actions.