Welch Statement on NDAA

Dec 17, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)today voted against theNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, and released the following statement:
“This defense funding bill perpetuates the status quo. Congress is, once again, sinking taxpayer dollars into the Pentagon’s bloated budget, and neglecting to modernize and adapt to 21stcentury warfare. This bill does little to rein in the Trump Administration’s reckless efforts to politicize the military here in America or restrict his use of force abroad. I offered amendments to the Senate’s bill and worked with my colleagues to improve it, but ultimately Congressional Republicans advanced a bill I cannot support.
“Despite the bill’s shortcomings, this annual defense spending package does contain policies and priorities I championed and support—including a pay raise for our troops and my bipartisan legislation that takes a significant step forward in banning the use of burn pits that have caused severe illnesses for so many of our soldiers. This bill requires the Department of Defense to be more transparent about accountability and actions surrounding war crime allegations, and ensures the military is trained annually in standards of conduct and government ethics.
“I remain committed to working with the President and my Republican colleagues on a military budget that defends American interests for another century—but they must show a willingness to invest American taxpayer dollars in smarter, more forward-leaning ways.”
The FY 2026 NDAA includes Senator Welch’s bipartisanWaste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act, legislation to support servicemember health and strengthen national security by improving how the U.S. military eliminates certain materials both at home and overseas.
The FY 2026NDAAalsoincludes the following policies led and championed by Sen. Welch:
Senator Welch supported several other provisions included in the NDAA including: a pay increase for servicemembers; repealing laws that authorize military action in the Middle East, including the 2002 and 1991 AUMFs; authorizing the Baltic Security Initiative and theWestern Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act, repealing the2019 Ceasar Actsanctions to help Syria rebuild; and forcing Defense Secretary Hegseth to release the video of the Caribbean strikes.
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