Ranking Member DeLauro Statement at the Subcommittee Markup of the 2027 Defense Funding Bill

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks at the subcommittee markup of the 2027 Defense funding bill:

– As Prepared for Delivery –

Thank you, Chairman Cole, Chairman Calvert, and Ranking Member McCollum.

I also want to thank the subcommittee staff for their work on this bill. Jennifer Chartrand, Jason Gray, and Ed Etzkorn on the minority, and Adam Sullivan and his talented team on the majority side. Thank you for all your hard work on this bill.

The American people are begging for relief from high prices, but it seems that the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are deaf to their pleas. Instead of providing relief, they are cutting domestic programs that support families who are struggling with the cost of living.

Across the board, they are cutting nearly $13 billion from non-defense programs that support the working class, middle class, and vulnerable Americans. They are cutting investments in education, job training, housing assistance, energy development, transportation, rural aid, and more.

At the same time they are cutting these programs, they are proposing the most expensive Defense budget in the history of this country. Over $1 trillion for the Pentagon. A $234 billion increase, and that does not even account for the additional costs associated with President Trump’s war of choice in Iran – a war with no defined strategy, discernible goals, defined objectives, or any end in sight.

Despite the astronomical increase in funding contained in this bill, there is no funding in the bill for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Even within the largest military budget in the world, we do not have enough resources to support a key ally as they defend their country against Russian aggression? Our partners and allies deserve better than broken promises.

This bill also continues the deployment of National Guard troops to the District of Columbia for the so-called “beautification” of D.C. This is a gross misuse of military resources and a disservice to the Guards, whose time and energy would be much more wisely spent training, supporting legitimate operations, or responding to emergencies where their skills are sorely needed.

President Trump said we do not have money for child care, Medicare, or Medicaid, because we are, quote, “fighting wars.” And to be clear, we are at war with Iran, whether the Administration chooses to acknowledge it or not. 

There is no agreement with Iran; there is no deal. An Apache helicopter was shot down this week – thank goodness those servicemembers were safe. And in response, more strikes were levied against Iran. Further, while all eyes and attention are on the conflict with Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz, very little attention is being given to Gaza. Only two points of the 20-point plan are being implemented, leaving the rapid annexation of the West Bank and a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. It is unconscionable what is happening there.

To be clear, I support a strong national defense. I support the courageous men and women who serve our country in uniform. And I understand the need to make investments accordingly. But we need not sacrifice the standard of living in our communities to achieve those goals. We ought to work together to provide relief for American families.

That is what I intend to do as we continue our work on this committee. In the meantime, I encourage my colleagues to oppose and urge a No vote on this bill. Thank you, and I yield back.