DeLauro Votes “No” on President Trump’s Trillion-Dollar Defense Authorization Bill that Puts Partisanship over Protecting Americans

WASHINGTON--Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted no on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2027, annual legislation that sets the Department of Defense's policies and authorizes annual expenditures. Her statement follows:

"While the American people struggle with a cost of living crisis and skyrocketing energy prices from the President's war of choice in Iran, Republicans have once again turned the National Defense Authorization Act into a vehicle for culture war fights and partisan amendments. Democrats were completely blocked from offering any substantive amendments focused on strengthening our industrial base, reforming procurement and acquisition processes, and supporting our allies around the world.

"This bill authorizes nearly $1.15 trillion in spending-a staggering sum that does not account for the tens of billions of dollars in supplemental funding that Secretary Hegseth has now asked for to cover the cost of President Trump's Iran war. This extravagant increase in spending comes as Republicans have already cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, and are pushing even more cuts to domestic programs that support working people struggling with the cost of living crisis.

"The annual NDAA used to be a consistently bipartisan, substantive piece of legislation. I am disappointed that under Republican leadership, it has become just another partisan bill that is written to satisfy the most extreme Republican voices rather than a serious, nonpolitical framework for our national defense. The brave men and women who volunteer to serve in our Armed Forces deserve better than this. They deserve a bill crafted to respond to their needs, including the unique medical, educational, and occupational challenges that are faced by military families. I cannot support this bill."