While Decrying “Violence,” House Votes for Massive Military Spending

Yesterday, amidst statements decrying “violence,” the US House voted 231 to 196 for the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an $848 billion military spending package for waging both military war and — as amended on the floor — culture war.

214 Republicans and 17 Democrats voted yes. 192 Democrats and 4 Republicans voted no.

The 17 Democrats voting yes were Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Don Davis (NC-01), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Jared Golden (ME-02), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adam Gray (CA-13), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Susie Lee (NV-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and George Whitesides (CA-27).

During the floor debate, Republicans amended the bill to attack the trans and non-binary community.

• 219 to 209 to prohibit trans individuals from accessing bathrooms or other such “single-sex” spaces that align with their gender identity, an attempt to force trans people out of the military and out of public. Cuellar, Davis, and Gray joined Republicans.
• 221–210 to prohibit the provision of gender transition procedures, including surgery or medication, through the Exceptional Family Medical Program. Cuellar, Davis, Gonzalez, and Gray joined Republicans.
• 221 to 210 to prohibit the Secretary of Defense from soliciting information through a form or survey regarding the gender identity of an individual, providing an option to indicate the sex or gender of an individual is something other than male or female, and requiring the Secretary reject a response other than male or female to a required question on a form or survey regarding sex or gender. Cuellar, Davis, Gonzalez, and Gray joined Republicans.
• 221 to 207 to prohibit DoD from covering or furnishing gender-related medical treatment under TRICARE. Cuellar, Davis, Gonzalez, and Gray joined Republicans again, as did Cleo Fields (LA-06) and Shomari Figures (AL-02).
• 227 to 201 to prohibit trans women serving as cadets or midshipmen from participating in female athletic activities. 10 Democrats joined Republicans: Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Don Davis (NC-01), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Jared Golden (ME-02), Adam Gray (CA-13), Susie Lee (NV-03), John Mannion (NY-22), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03).

The House also voted 222 to 210 for an attempt to ban the flying of Pride flags on military bases. Cuellar, Davis, Gillen, Golden, and Perez joined Republicans.

In addition to attacking the LGBTQ community, House Republicans also waged war on environmental progress. The House voted 224 to 208 to eliminate preference for hybrid or electric vehicles. Cuellar, Davis, Golden, Gonzalez, and Perez joined Republicans — as did Jared Moskowitz (FL-23).

The House, however, failed to pass an anti-wind-energy amendment, with a vote of 209 to 224. Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Hilary Scholten (MI-03), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) joined Republicans, but 18 Republicans voted no.

The House also rejected an amendment to ban the research, development, procurement, and promotion of cell cultured meat by the DOD, on a vote of 194 to 236. 189 Republicans and 5 Democrats voted yes. 208 Democrats and 28 Republicans voted no. Hamadeh (AZ) voted present. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) joined Republicans.