Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
Calls Out Administration’s Broken Promise as Provision Covering Military Family’s Access to IVF Cut by Republicans
“This legislation gives more money to the so-called Department of War than to our Departments of Education, Transportation, and Health and Human Services, combined.”
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, in a speech on the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) rose in opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and urged her Republican colleagues to consider the harmful impact the $900 military spending bill would have on servicemembers, their families, and the safety of the country.
Rep. Pressley underscored the cruelty of this bill, which includes blocking healthcare coverage for IVF for active-duty members, banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that support military readiness, and expand the Trump administration’s power to attack immigrant communities.
A full transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks is available below and the video is available here.
Transcript: On House Floor, Pressley Opposes NDAA, Condemns Harmful Impact on Servicemembers, Families, Safety of the Country
House of Representatives
December 11, 2025Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this year’s massive $900 billion military spending bill.
This legislation gives more money to the so-called Department of War than to our Departments of Education, Transportation, and Health and Human Services, combined.
Mr. Speaker, can you ask my Republican colleagues to get serious about helping the American public?
I know you seek to be judged by the content of your character.
It is certainly poor character to be not support our military service members and their families, and this mammoth bill does not do that.
Certainly, it is poor character to block health care coverage for IVF, despite the fact that IVF is critical for helping active-duty personnel grow their families.
Certainly, it is poor character to ban initiatives associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, even though these cuts will undermine military readiness.
This bill, this mammoth bill, expands the administration’s power to attack immigrants, including for our Haitian neighbors.
The few good things in this legislation do not outweigh the cruelty and the harm that will undoubtedly come if it is signed into law.
The public does not support this bill, and neither do I, and that is why I am a NO vote.
I yield back.
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