Booker Statement on FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:

"Once again, the Senate has advanced a National Defense Authorization Act that significantly increases the Pentagon's spending without ensuring proper oversight, transparency, or accountability into how that money is spent, especially at a moment when the Department of Defense is being politicized under Pete Hegseth's reign. This bill includes some improvements, such as authorizing funding for critical military construction projects in New Jersey, a pay increase for service members, and improved educational resources for children with disabilities in military communities, as well as my amendment requiring the State Department to offer both men and women's sizing options when issuing life-saving tactical gear to federal law enforcement officers and Diplomatic Security agents. However, I remain seriously concerned about approving sweeping funding increases without proper safeguards in place.

"Donald Trump is unlawfully deploying the U.S. military into cities he holds a grudge against, ordering masked federal agents to grab people-including U.S. citizens-off the streets, and unilaterally clawing back bipartisan-appropriated funding for states like New Jersey. He slashed vital support programs for New Jersey's veterans, gutted Social Security services for our seniors, and sent us careening toward a health care cost crisis that will cause families in my state to face sky-rocketing premiums. Authorizing funding increases without safeguards to hold Donald Trump and his administration accountable would amount to Congress surrendering its constitutional duty to provide a check on this rogue administration. I will always stand up for New Jerseyans and to protect our national security, but I refuse to hand this administration a blank check to continue terrorizing our communities and punishing our state."