[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 10, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H4173-H4174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         FISCAL YEAR 2026 NDAA

  (Ms. Tokuda of Hawaii was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  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

[[Page H4174]]

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.

                              {time}  1110

  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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