Just for the record, the vigilant and obstreperous party of No has again risen to the occasion and blocked the passage of key initiatives :

"the defense authorization bill has about 3,500 other provisions — many of them important changes to the agenda for the Department of Defense.
It's worth reading the full list, but here are a few notable provisions:

Revamping US Military and Foreign Policy

◦No permanent military bases in Afghanistan.
◦Report on long-term costs of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
◦National Military Strategic Plan to Counter Iran.
Anti-Corruption

◦Standards and certification for private security contractors.
◦Inclusion of bribery in disclosure requirements of the Federal awardee performance and integrity information system.
Environmental Progress

◦Report identifying hybrid or electric propulsion systems and other fuel-saving technologies for incorporation into tactical motor vehicles.

Senators said they will have to eventually pass the bill — it just may be in a lame duck session. The Senate has passed a defense authorization bill for the past 48 years.

"We have to proceed to consider the defense authorization bill, because our military needs it," Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said yesterday. "We need it for authorization of critical military equipment for our troops to fight on our behalf. … We've got to take this bill up, it's our national responsibility"

(Washington Independent)