WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after voting for passage of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27 NDAA) as marked up in the full committee.
“For the 66th consecutive year, the House Armed Services Committee has worked across the aisle to craft a bipartisan defense bill that reflects our core national security priorities for ensuring a strong national defense.
“This year’s bill continues the committee’s work to reform the Defense Acquisition System by cutting through red tape and addressing outdated systems so that we can deliver capabilities to service members as quickly and effectively as possible. It ensures the quality of life needs of service members, military families, and civilian personnel are met by focusing on pay and compensation, housing, health care, childcare, education, and support for civilian workers. It invests in innovation, technology, and modernization efforts as well as America’s domestic industrial base and military readiness. It corrects bigoted efforts to rename bases for confederate secessionists and it protects collective bargaining rights. It also maintains numerous oversight measures of the Department of Defense and continues the committee's work to foster cooperation with allies and partners.”
“However, I remain deeply concerned with the $1.5 trillion defense budget being pushed by the Trump Administration. In addition to the $1.15 trillion base budget we face a $350 billion reconciliation package. And yet there is zero recognition of our precarious fiscal reality, including our $4 trillion national debt coupled with the administration’s continued gutting of crucial programs needed to help hardworking Americans and their families struggling with soaring gas and food prices and spiking inflation. I will continue to push for fiscal responsibility and work to address this critical lack of oversight as we move forward in the spirit of bipartisan compromise and I am proud to work with my colleague and friend, Chairman Mike Rogers, on our shared commitment to ensuring we continue to provide for the common defense.
“I urge Speaker Johnson to take up this legislation in that same spirit of bipartisanship and work with both sides of the aisle to ensure the bill remains focused on the core priorities and needs of our armed forces and national security to ensure bipartisan passage on the House floor later this year.”
“For the 66th consecutive year, the House Armed Services Committee has worked across the aisle to craft a bipartisan defense bill that reflects our core national security priorities for ensuring a strong national defense.
“This year’s bill continues the committee’s work to reform the Defense Acquisition System by cutting through red tape and addressing outdated systems so that we can deliver capabilities to service members as quickly and effectively as possible. It ensures the quality of life needs of service members, military families, and civilian personnel are met by focusing on pay and compensation, housing, health care, childcare, education, and support for civilian workers. It invests in innovation, technology, and modernization efforts as well as America’s domestic industrial base and military readiness. It corrects bigoted efforts to rename bases for confederate secessionists and it protects collective bargaining rights. It also maintains numerous oversight measures of the Department of Defense and continues the committee's work to foster cooperation with allies and partners.”
“However, I remain deeply concerned with the $1.5 trillion defense budget being pushed by the Trump Administration. In addition to the $1.15 trillion base budget we face a $350 billion reconciliation package. And yet there is zero recognition of our precarious fiscal reality, including our $4 trillion national debt coupled with the administration’s continued gutting of crucial programs needed to help hardworking Americans and their families struggling with soaring gas and food prices and spiking inflation. I will continue to push for fiscal responsibility and work to address this critical lack of oversight as we move forward in the spirit of bipartisan compromise and I am proud to work with my colleague and friend, Chairman Mike Rogers, on our shared commitment to ensuring we continue to provide for the common defense.
“I urge Speaker Johnson to take up this legislation in that same spirit of bipartisanship and work with both sides of the aisle to ensure the bill remains focused on the core priorities and needs of our armed forces and national security to ensure bipartisan passage on the House floor later this year.”
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