Schakowsky Statement on Voting Against FY26 NDAA

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement after voting against final passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA):

"Today, I once again voted against the Republican's extremist National Defense Authorization Act. Not only does this harmful bill exacerbate an already over-bloated Pentagon budget, authorizing nearly $900 billion in additional spending for the Department of Defense, it also attacks some of the most vulnerable among us. This bill reflects the wrong priorities and the wrong vision for our future.

"The FY26 NDAA continues Republicans' ongoing baseless discrimination against the transgender community and bans gender-affirming care for service members and their families, putting the lives of children at risk and potentially forcing thousands of service members to make the choice between continuing their military service or leaving to ensure their child can access the health care they need. It is cruel to ask our service members to defend us and our country and then, in return, trample all over their rights and access to healthcare. The bill also codifies President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. These provisions are hateful, shortsighted, and will weaken our military readiness and retention rates. Our greatest security threats have no military solutions, and it is time our budget reflects that. We must instead make the investments in health care, education, housing, clean air and water, and public transit that Americans deserve.

"Although I am opposed to the FY26 NDAA, there were a few bright spots. I am supportive of the 3.8% pay raise for all service members and additional investments in new construction of housing, child development centers and more. Additionally, I was pleased to see increased access to birth control and IVF for members and their families covered under TRICARE. Furthermore, I was thrilled to see the repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Iraq and a ban on naming military assets after Confederate leaders.

"Despite these important provisions, this legislation does not reflect the best interests of our nation and does not provide the protection that our service members need, and that is why I ultimately could not support the FY26 NDAA's passage."

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