Rep. Mike Levin’s Statement on the House 2027 National Defense Authorization Act
Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) released the following statement after voting against the House-drafted version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27 NDAA):
“Historically, the NDAA has been a bipartisan bill that receives overwhelming support from Democrats and Republicans to provide our troops and their families with pay raises and critical funding for military construction projects, healthcare, and more. As the proud representative of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, I understand why this funding is necessary and the impact it has on our military.
“Unfortunately, this NDAA includes unpopular, extremist policy riders. It also attaches the text of the SAVE America Act that would undermine the integrity of our elections and supercharge voter suppression. The SAVE America Act would create enormous barriers for servicemembers abroad to vote, and it would prevent millions of Americans from voting simply because they don’t have a passport. This deeply unpopular and unrelated bill should not be attached to the NDAA. One has nothing to do with the other.
“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I take federal spending seriously and believe that we must protect Congress’s power of the purse now more than ever. This NDAA authorizes an unprecedented $1.5 trillion to the Department of Defense while important health, housing, and food programs that millions rely on are being cut. This money would bolster the unauthorized and illegal war in Iran that has made life more expensive for every American. There is no justification for it and no clear strategy. This vote also comes on the heels of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth telling Congress he needs an extra $67 billion in additional funding to continue the war in Iran.
“I will continue fighting for a stronger bipartisan NDAA that addresses and funds the needs of our servicemembers and their families. I urge the Senate to remove the SAVE America Act and remedy the poison pills included in this bill as it has done in past years. I look forward to supporting a bipartisan final product after it has met those requirements.”
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