Fiscal Year 2026 Ndaa

Floor Speech

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Ms. TOKUDA. Madam Speaker, when the Armed Services Committee reported out this year's NDAA, it was a bill I was proud to support after months of bipartisan work, careful oversight, and real provisions to strengthen our national defense. That is the kind of process this committee is known for.

As we have sadly seen before, the amendments being considered are largely partisan poison pills set to, once again, diminish the bipartisan work of our committee. Through a closed, partisan process, Rules Committee Republicans stripped away balance and accountability. They denied Democrats and, by extension, our constituents the chance to openly debate issues that demand answers, like the National Guard in our streets, the purges at the Pentagon, or the abuse of Trump's unilateral military force abroad.

Not surprisingly, not one of the ten amendments I submitted were made in order.

Let me tell you what Republicans apparently don't care about: Accountability for predators.

I offered an amendment to disinter Dr. Robert McCormick Browne, a man accused of sexually abusing dozens of students in Hawaii, from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. A predator like that does not deserve to rest amongst heroes. The Republicans said no. By refusing to act, they are, once again, protecting a pedophile, allowing him to lie in a place of honor instead of standing amongst survivors and justice.

Taking care of veterans. I proposed suspending commissary debit card fees that unfairly tax veterans and their caregivers. I also proposed eliminating medical copays for Native Hawaiian veterans, the same healthcare benefits that Native American and Alaska Native veterans currently receive. Republicans said no. Apparently, they believe veterans should keep getting nickeled-and-dimed for basic healthcare and food.

Madam Speaker, with regard to safe housing for servicemembers, I proposed an amendment to increase investment in barracks for unaccompanied servicemembers and establish clear timeliness standards for maintenance work orders.

No servicemembers should be forced to live with black mold, broken plumbing, and unsafe conditions. I have walked through those barracks myself.

Republicans said no, again. I guess they are fine sending troops off to war and combat and then sending them home to live in squalor.

With regard to standing up to China, I introduced an amendment requiring congressional approval before advanced AI chips, critical to our most sophisticated weapons and intelligence systems, could be exported to Beijing. It was blocked.

I also proposed raising the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative cap to $8.5 billion, fully paid for with existing tariff revenue that is coming in, to strengthen Indo-Pacific deterrence. Republicans still said no. If this is their idea of strength, China will be the one that wins.

It wasn't just me that didn't get amendments included in the NDAA. Many of my colleagues put forward commonsense ideas like prohibiting the deportation of veterans without due process, as in the case of my constituent, Mr. Sae Joon Park, or clarifying that the National Guard can't be turned into an immigration police force. Yet both of these amendments were blocked.

Madam Speaker, here is the truth. It is an intentional choice that we make to take an oath to be of the people and for the people.

In a democracy, we debate. We vote. We let the American people see exactly where we stand. In an autocracy, that choice is stripped away. Dissent is silenced, and decisions are made behind closed doors.

That is the difference. That is the danger. That is a choice. Shutting down debate isn't just about dysfunction. It is a betrayal of our oath and our disservice to every single servicemember, veteran, and family who depends on us.

They fought for us. They have sacrificed for us. They have died for us. They deserve leaders who fight for them and not politicians who game the process.

I will always stand up for all of Hawaii's servicemembers, their families, and the communities that support them. Their sacrifices inspire me every single day.

Madam Speaker, there is another way. There is a better way. It is called democracy, and it begins with a choice.

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