DeLauro Votes “No” on President Trump’s Defense Authorization Bill that Abandons National Security, Embraces Partisanship

Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) voted no on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2025, annual legislation that sets the Department of Defense's policies and authorizes annual expenditures.

"In passing this year's National Defense Authorization Act, President Trump and Republican leadership have prioritized scoring political points over investing in our national security and military readiness. Republican leadership refused to include any substantive amendments offered by Democrats to reform our defense acquisition process, strengthen our industrial base, maintain our competitive edge with China, and bolster our ability to support allies like Ukraine.

Abandoning the bipartisan tradition of the NDAA process, and despite the Armed Services Committee producing a bipartisan product, President Trump and House Republicans stacked the bill with votes on harmful partisan amendments before it came to the floor.

The National Defense Authorization Act used to be a bipartisan priority, where both parties would embrace respectful disagreement and compromise in order to write a bill that invests in our nation's core defense capabilities and leaves culture war issues at the door. I regret that is no longer true under President Trump.

"The brave men and women who volunteer to serve in our Armed Forces deserve our support. Our officers and military leaders deserve to have their oaths of office and their experience respected.

"This bill puts culture wars first, and our national security and our servicemembers last. I cannot support it in this form."