10/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2025 11:01
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on his vote against the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):
"Every year, the national defense bill offers us an opportunity to re-evaluate our investments in our national security to ensure we stay ahead of the emerging threats we face around the world. As the home to important military installations and tens of thousands of military personnel and civilian defense workers, Maryland plays an important role in these missions. That is why I worked to support our state's installations along with the servicemembers who power them, our veterans, and their families within this legislation.
"However, given the Trump Administration's consistent actions to undermine the rule of law and use the U.S. military to advance Trump's authoritarian actions, I could not support this year's legislation. From missile strikes on boats in international waters that lack Congressional authorization, to the deployment of the National Guard to American cities for domestic law enforcement against the wishes of state and local leaders, it's clear this Administration no longer respects our laws, including those around the use of the U.S. military.
"I offered an amendment to block the President from deploying the National Guard to a state or the District of Columbia if that state's governor, or the D.C. Mayor, objects - but Republicans once again acted as rubber stamps for this lawless President, and rejected it.
"Taken together, these abuses of power reveal a lawless Administration that is misusing defense spending. These concerns only further my existing reservations around the continued growth in defense spending. That is why I voted against this legislation, a decision I do not make lightly. But we cannot and should not authorize almost a trillion dollars in defense spending for an Administration that is currently abusing its power and using the military to police American streets.
"We deploy a strong military to protect our democracy and freedom from foreign threats and adversaries. Sadly, today, the threats to our liberties and the rule of law are coming from our own Commander in Chief, and I will not vote to give him a blank check."