Pocan, Lee Reject $895 Billion NDAA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Barbara Lee (CA-12), co-chairs and co-founders of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus, released the following statement after voting against the final passage of the $895 billion FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual bill neither member has voted for since being elected to Congress:

“Time and time again, Congress seems to be able to find the funds necessary to line the pockets of defense contractors while neglecting the problems everyday Americans face here at home. Instead of fighting the rising cost of healthcare, gas, or groceries, this Congress prioritized rewarding the wealthy and well-connected Military Industrial Complex with even more unaccountable funds.

“After a seventh failed audit in a row, it’s disappointing that our amendment to hold the Pentagon accountable by penalizing the DoD’s budget by 0.5% for each failed audit was stripped out of the final bill.  It’s time Congress demanded accountability from the Pentagon. Now, it’s time to prioritize the needs of our citizens over unchecked military expenditures.

“While we’re glad many of the poison pill riders that were included in the House-passed version were ultimately removed from the final bill, the bill does include a ban on access to medically necessary health care for transgender children of service members, which will force service members to choose between serving their country and getting their children the care they need. The final bill also failed to expand coverage for fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), for service members regardless of whether their infertility is service-connected.”

Earlier this year, Pocan and Lee, along with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jim McGovern (MA-02), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), released an in-depth video on the influence of defense contractors in Washington. The video can be found here.