Larson Opposes Defense Bill that Fails to End Illegal War in Iran and Advances MAGA Culture War Agenda

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted against the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), after House Republicans refused to consider amendments to rein in Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth's abuses of power at the Pentagon, including their illegal war in Iran. On the House floor, Republicans also added a discriminatory gender-affirming healthcare ban for servicemembers and attached the so-called "SAVE America Act" to the legislation, which would make it harder for millions of women, people of color, students, and active-duty troops to cast their ballots-the worst voting restrictions sinceJim Crow.

"While support for our troops should always be bipartisan, House Republicans have repeatedly turned this process into nothing more than a vehicle to advance some of this president's worst abuses of power," said Larson. "It fails to end Trump's illegal war in Iran-which has claimed the lives of 18 brave servicemembers-while authorizing over $1 trillion in funding for the Pentagon, a record. It gives the President and Secretary Hegseth a green light for their unnecessary 'Department of War' name change, costing taxpayers up to $125 million. It includes a cruel healthcare ban for transgender troops and family members, and even includes the so-called 'SAVE America Act,' which would make it harder for millions of Americans to exercise their right to vote. President Trump needs to be held accountable in Congress, in the courts, and at the ballot box."

Larson offered an amendmentto block the President's costly "Department of War" name change at the Pentagon, which could cost taxpayers up to $125 million, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Republicans on the House Rules Committee blocked Larson's amendment-as well as other amendments to bar National Guard deployments in American cities for immigration enforcement, and end Trump's illegal war.

Earlier this week, Larson announced that he is preparing legal actionagainst the Trump Administration, as well as legislation, to cut off funding for the unauthorized war with Iran. He has also filed articles of impeachment against President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for their illegal military orders in direct violation of the War Powers Act and United States Constitution.