Booker, Kim Of NJ Vote Against Colossal U.S. Military Budget Bill

A massive, $925 billion military spending bill cleared a big hurdle in the Senate this week – but not without pushback from New Jersey’s representatives, Cory Booker and Andy Kim.

The Senate voted 77-20 (with three no-votes) to approve its version of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026 on Thursday evening. Lawmakers will now be able to begin hammering out a compromise bill with their peers in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congress rolls out a new version of the bill each year to establish defense priorities, make organizational shifts to military posture, and provide direction on how military funding can be spent. The “must pass” legislation typically sees several changes and amendments before a final version is agreed upon by the Senate and House of Representatives.

Congress has greenlighted the bill every year for more than six consecutive decades.

Booker and Kim – both Democrats – each voted “no” on the Senate’s latest NDAA offering.

“Once again, the Senate has advanced a National Defense Authorization Act that significantly increases the Pentagon’s spending without ensuring proper oversight, transparency, or accountability into how that money is spent – especially at a moment when the Department of Defense is being politicized under Pete Hegseth’s reign,” Booker said.

Booker said the bill includes some improvements, such as authorizing funding for critical military construction projects in New Jersey, a pay increase for service members, and improved educational resources for children with disabilities in military communities.

“However, I remain seriously concerned about approving sweeping funding increases without proper safeguards in place,” New Jersey’s senior U.S. senator added.

“Authorizing funding increases without safeguards to hold Donald Trump and his administration accountable would amount to Congress surrendering its constitutional duty to provide a check on this rogue administration,” Booker continued.

“I refuse to hand this administration a blank check to continue terrorizing our communities and punishing our state,” he added.

Kim also explained his “no” vote in a statement after Thursday’s Senate session.

“I can’t in good faith vote to pass a defense authorization when this president is using our brave men and women in uniform as his personal intimidation tool and executing actions abroad without any legal basis,” Kim said.

“Our service members deserve the best because they have chosen to dedicate themselves to the defense of our nation,” he continued. “We should make sure they’re paid well, that their families are taken care of, and that they have the equipment they need to do the job; but most of all, we need to make sure that they serve the country and the Constitution – not the whims of one man.”

There have been both cheers and jeers for the current levels of military spending from New Jersey lawmakers and residents.

Some say that a well-funded NDAA strengthens national security, supports servicemembers and creates jobs. But critics question whether the nation’s rising military budget is a good use of taxpayer money at a time when every penny counts.

Last year, the final version of the NDAA got “yes” votes from only half of New Jersey’s U.S. House members – a lower total than previous years. Booker and Kim each voted “no.”

• Read More: Half Of NJ House Members Vote Against Huge Military Spending Bill
• Read More: U.S. Military Budget Gets ‘No’ Vote From Booker, Kim In New Jersey

Earlier this year, U.S. Reps. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Donald Norcross (NJ-1) each voted “yes” during a markup of the House version of the spending bill. Sherrill and Norcross – both Democrats – are the two New Jersey representatives currently serving on the House Armed Services Committee.

Sherrill – a former Navy helicopter pilot who is running for New Jersey governor – applauded the markup vote, although she also criticized the Trump administration’s latest plan to “gut the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce.”

The initiative, which was announced in March, is part of a larger plan to rebuild the military to “meet current and future demands,” according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Sherrill said that more than $20 million in additional funding has been secured for the Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and the “New Jersey innovation economy” as part of the House markup.

The congresswoman took a dig at a key member of the Trump administration while explaining her “yes” vote.

“One of my chief responsibilities is to craft national defense legislation that strengthens our fighting forces across the globe, bolsters the New Jersey economy by investing in Picatinny Arsenal, and expands protections for our service members and their families,” Sherrill said.

“With Pete Hegseth, the most incompetent Secretary of Defense in history, leading our armed forces, it’s more important than ever that we pass commonsense legislation that invests in our fighting forces and the men and women who have stepped up to serve our country,” she charged.

• See Related: 2 New Jersey Congress Members Vote On Huge Military Spending Bill

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