Krishnamoorthi Votes No on Defense Bill Citing Lack of Oversight, Politicization of the Pentagon, and Harmful Policy Riders

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today released the following statement explaining his vote against final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), citing the bill's failure to impose necessary oversight and guardrails on the Trump Administration despite including several bipartisan provisions he advanced to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and national security:

"Tonight, I voted to oppose the National Defense Authorization Act. While I am glad that many provisions I advanced to strengthen our competitiveness against the economic and security threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party were included, the final bill failed to provide the oversight and guardrails of the Trump Administration that our national security demands. In the face of this Administration's escalating military actions in the Caribbean, the use of National Guard forces in our communities, and the dangerous politicization of the Pentagon, Congress cannot look the other way. The bill offers no real constraints on unilateral boat strikes, no checks on Secretary Hegseth's politicization efforts, and folds in culture-war measures that could undermine servicemembers' access to essential health care, including IVF treatment . I am also disappointed that language restoring collective-bargaining rights for civilian DOD employees was also removed. For these reasons, I voted no."