Scott Votes Against GOP’S FY26 Defense Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for FY 2026.

“The annual defense appropriations bill must be a strong investment in our servicemembers and our national security. There are some provisions I support in this defense appropriations bill such as investments in shipbuilding, including funding the Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines and the Gerald R. Ford Class Nuclear Aircraft Carrier program. The bill also includes an important amendment to prevent the closure of the United States Army Transportation Museum at Fort Eustis.

“However, I ultimately cannot support the bill in its current form because the Republicans included language directing the Department of Defense to make harmful cuts in service of Elon Musk’s DOGE agenda. This bill will cut over $2 billion for troop readiness and $409 million for health programs. The bill includes provisions that attack the civil rights and liberties of service members and military families, including eliminating any office of diversity, equity, or inclusion. The bill also restricts access to abortion for servicemembers and fails to include $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion. 

“I am hopeful that as the bill moves to the Senate, the final enacted version of this legislation will ensure our servicemembers and their families are protected and will also include necessary investments to our national security.”

CLICK HERE for a fact sheet on the legislation.  

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