New Democrat Coalition National Security Task Force Chair Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Vice Chair Jason Crow (CO-06) issued the following statement after the House floor vote on the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation passed by a vote of 217-199:

“House Republicans have once again put their own extremist agenda over strengthening U.S. national security. Through their hyper-partisan amendment process, they transformed a commonsense, bipartisan package into one laden with extremist policy riders and poison pills. 

“Instead of fighting for our national security, Republicans are more concerned about fighting culture wars. This legislation fails to protect our servicemembers and support our Veterans, and instead attacks reproductive healthcare, the LGBTQI+ community, and historically marginalized groups – ultimately jeopardizing America’s role as a global defender of freedom and democracy.

“Advancing such a far-right and out of touch package will only delay the passage of a final, bipartisan bill, causing uncertainty in the Pentagon that jeopardizes military readiness and puts our servicemembers at risk. Guided by our Coalition’s NDAA priorities, New Dems will keep the pressure on House Republican Leadership to reverse course, work across the aisle, and pass defense policy legislation that actually protects the American people.”

New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Freshman Leadership Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) issued a statement after the Republican-led House Rules Committee rejected Rep. Budzinski’s bipartisan amendment to the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would have funded the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). If tens of millions of Americans lose affordable internet access after losing the ACP benefit, our military will be unable to meet their recruitment goals, jeopardizing our readiness and national security.

The ACP officially ran out of funding at the end of May after House Republicans opposed New Dem-championed efforts to pass additional funding so Americans could continue accessing affordable internet coverage. 

“When the Affordable Connectivity Program ended last month, families across the country faced an uncomfortable reality: pay an unaffordable internet bill, or lose internet access altogether. While families are grappling with this decision, Congressional Republicans continue to block any and all efforts to fund the ACP, despite its impact on more than 23 million households. 

“This program is helping Americans in every state, red, blue and purple alike. It is unacceptable that Republicans continue to stand in the way of commonsense solutions to improve Americans’ lives. The internet is an essential utility and is absolutely necessary to succeed in a 21st-century economy and society. That’s why New Dems have worked tirelessly to extend the ACP and repeatedly called on Republicans to join our efforts.

“Today, we again call on Speaker Johnson and House Republicans to take immediate action to fund this vital program and restore affordable internet access to the American people."

On Thursday, the NextGen NewDem Staff Academy’s inaugural cohort participated in its final meeting, capping off the New Democrat Coalition’s first coalition-wide staff development program with a conversation with NDC Leadership Members, including Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02), Chair Emeritus Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Vice Chairs Brad Schneider (IL-10), Sharice Davids (KS-03), and Salud Carbajal (CA-24).

Earlier this week, New Dems met with Steve Ballmer, the CEO of USAFacts. In part, Members discussed the work of USA Facts to allow people to understand U.S. government revenue, spending and societal impact.

On Wednesday, the New Dem Trade Task Force met with Gap, Inc. CEO Richard Dickson. The Members discussed the U.S. trade agenda as well as areas for bipartisan collaboration.