Congressman García Votes Against NDAA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) issued the following statement on his vote against the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

"Today, I voted against giving Trump and Hegseth $1.15 trillion dollars to continue the cruel and illegal wars they have launched without authorization from Congress or the support of the American people, while my constituents and millions of people nationwide are struggling to afford gas, groceries, and healthcare. At least 18 U.S. servicemembers, including four this week, have been killed in the Iran war, along with thousands of Iranian civilians. As the war spirals out of control threatening the global economy, the Pentagon continues to lie about it.

"This shameful military budget is nothing more than a giveaway to defense contractors and the Trump family, who continue to use the federal government as their piggy bank. Moreover, the Pentagon has never passed an audit and has wasted hundreds of billions of our tax dollars over decades to enrich the military-industrial complex and wage illegal wars abroad.

"I introduced 10 amendments to this bill, centered on human rights, upholding the Leahy Laws, ensuring accountability for the bombing of an elementary school in Iran, protecting civilians from harmful sanctions, and more. I also cosponsored the Massie-Khanna amendment to prohibit the integration of the U.S. and Israeli militaries. Republicans refused to consider these amendments and doubled down on another bloated, immoral defense budget.

"We should not give one more cent to Trump and Hegseth to start more wars of choice, while our constituents can't make ends meet. We should be funding healthcare, education, and housing, not war, death, and destruction."

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