Ranking Members Subramanyam and Garcia Demand Answers About Conditions on USS Lincoln

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, and Robert Garcia (CA-42), Ranking Member of the House Oversight Committee, are demanding answers from the Department of Defense (DOD) about conditions on the USS Lincoln.

"Secretary Hegseth has claimed the rumors of overboard attempts and food rationing are overblown. If conditions are what he says they are and he has nothing to hide, then we will see if the information matches his claims. Our servicemembers are being asked to be away from family for months on end with inadequate conditions. That is unacceptable," said Ranking Member Subramanyam.

"Sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln are going without food, dealing with contaminated water, and attempting suicide after hundreds of days at sea due to President Trump's incompetent and disastrous war with Iran. Secretary Hegseth must answer for and improve these unacceptable conditions immediately," said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.

There have been reports for months about food rationing and insufficient food on the USS Lincoln. There have also been more recent reports of several servicemembers attempting to jump off the ship. The USS Lincoln has been deployed for more than 250 days, setting modern records for deployments without port calls.

In a letter to DOD Secretary Hegseth, the Ranking Members asked for information on the inventory of food, medical supplies, and other critical resources for the sailors and Marines. They also asked for clarification on the timeline of when the USS Lincoln would be relieved by another aircraft carrier.

The letter can be found HERE and below.

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Dear Secretary Hegseth:

We write regarding the conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, specifically, the living conditions and access to mental health resources for the sailors. Recent reports have revealed disturbing sanitation conditions, food shortages, and deteriorating mental health among those deployed on the aircraft carrier, including multiple suicide attempts, with one sailor jumping overboard. Our sailors deserve better while they serve our country, and these deplorable conditions negatively impact morale and readiness. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to support our troops, and it is clear that additional oversight is needed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

The USS Abraham Lincoln holds more than 5,000 sailors and Marines and departed San Diego last November. Now redirected to the Middle East to support the Iran War in Operation Epic Fury, the carrier has been deployed for over 250 days and has spent a record-setting 200 consecutive days at sea. At a town hall with Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, families of those aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln voiced their concerns directly. Among them were food shortages, water contamination, and disruptions in mail.

As the Ranking Members of the Oversight Committee and the Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, we request a classified briefing on the USS Abraham Lincoln's conditions and answers to the following questions by August 28, 2026:

1. What is the current inventory of food aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln?
   1. Please detail the food supply and delivery schedule over the course of the carrier's deployment.
2. What sanitation issues have been identified aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, including broken bathroom facilities?
3. What health care, including mental health care, are available to the sailors aboard?
   1. What behavioral health care professionals are on board and accessible to those seeking help?
   2. How quickly can someone on board the ship meet with a behavioral health care professional after seeking help?
4. What steps can be taken to mitigate the disruptions to the mail system that sailors have experienced?
5. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao reportedly told family members that the USS Theodore Roosevelt is preparing to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln. Without jeopardizing national security, what details can be shared about the timeline for the ship's relief?

The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate "any matter" at "any time" under House Rule X. If you have any questions about this request, please contact Committee Democratic staff at (202) 225-5051. Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.