Congresswoman Simon Votes Against the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act

Washington, D.C. - Following a vote on the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the below statement:

"Today, I proudly voted NO on the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act for Trump's Department of War. This bill, combined with additional spending in the Republicans' One Big Ugly Cruel Bill, brings the total that our country will spend on war this fiscal year alone to over $1 TRILLION.

"I will not vote to fund war. Not now, not ever, and especially not when our government can't find money to eliminate homelessness and poverty, give kids a free lunch at school, or ensure health care for our veterans. This bill will continue the genocide in Gaza, keep militarized forces in the streets of D.C., and make weapons manufacturers even more money. This bill demonstrates just how out of line Congressional Republicans are with the needs of the American people.

"However, one Democratic amendment did pass with bipartisan support - a repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations of the Use of Military Force. Thanks to the courage and leadership of Mayor Barbara Lee, our district has a strong legacy of ending forever wars and supporting. This is a significant, long-overdue step in the right direction that takes the constitutional right to declare military operations out of the hands of the President, and puts it back into the people's hands where it belongs."

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