New Delhi, July 15 -- WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats on Monday blocked the $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act from advancing, turning a piece of legislation so reliably passed that Washington calls it must-pass into the centerpiece of a constitutional standoff over a war the president launched without Congressional authorization.

Democrats John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Alex Padilla of California, and Republicans Jim Justice of West Virginia and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

The Democratic objection centered on a single fact: President Trump launched military operations against Iran on February 28 without seeking authorization from Congress. No war powers resolution, no authorization for use of military force, no public...