Rep. Omar’s Statement on the National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON–Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“Once again, Congress has passed a massive military authorization bill that prioritizes endless military spending over the critical needs of American families. This year's NDAA designates $900 billion for military spending. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has failed its financial audit for the seventh year in a row.

“While I recognize the long-overdue 14.5 percent raise for our lowest-ranking enlisted personnel is important, this bill remains flawed. The bloated military budget continues to take away crucial funding from programs that could help millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet.

"The NDAA includes a provision that blocks the Pentagon from using data on casualties and deaths from the Gaza Ministry of Health or any sources relying on those statistics. This is an alarming erasure of the suffering of the Palestinian people, ignoring the human toll of ongoing violence.

“This bill also contains a troubling provision that would deny gender-affirming care through TRICARE. Our military families deserve healthcare that supports every member of their family.

“I cannot support a bill that continues unnecessary military spending while also attacking the rights and healthcare of transgender youth, and for that reason, I voted NO.”