STATEMENT: Senator Blunt Rochester Releases Statement on the NDAA

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) today released a statement on the passage of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"The FY26 NDAA supports our troops, maintains military readiness, and strengthens our national security. It also includes my critical bipartisan legislation, the Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act, to help keep good-paying manufacturing jobs here in the U.S. As the Ranking Member of the Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries Subcommittee, I am also proud to see the U.S. Coast Guard fully authorized.

"While I was disappointed by Republicans' continued efforts to stifle diversity and limit the inclusion of servicemembers in our nation's military, I am pleased Congress was able to reassert its constitutional warpower authority by repealing the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs. This is critically important as this administration continues to push legal boundaries in budding military conflicts in Central America and the Caribbean. Congress must continue to conduct crucial oversight over the executive branch to keep our troops safe and ensure the law is followed.

"Ultimately, this legislation is far from perfect, but I'm pleased that we were able to fend off some of the most harmful provisions included in the House version and support our servicemen and women after a challenging year."

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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the United States Senate where she serves on the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.