Defense & Military Families

This week, U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Mike Ezell (R-MS-4) introduced the Mariner Exam Modernization Act, which directs the U.S. Coast Guard to develop and implement a plan to modernize the Merchant Mariner Credentialing exam, aiming to eliminate redundancies and improve efficiency within 270 days of receiving recommendations from a dedicated working group. “The men… Read more »

Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL-02) joined Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Ashley Moody (R-FL) to reintroduce bicameral and bipartisan legislation to incentivize investment in spaceport infrastructure. The Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act will provide spaceports like Vandenberg Space Force Base eligibility for tax-exempt municipal revenue bonds,… Read more »

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the heels of new reporting revealing National Security Advisor Mike Waltz’s extensive use of Signal to communicate highly sensitive national security information.  “This new reporting confirms my concern that the Trump Administration’s previous… Read more »

Senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), led a group of 69 House Democrats in a letter to National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the incredible incompetence displayed by their use of Signal to communicate highly… Read more »

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) joined Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) to introduce the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act to improve our nation’s aerial firefighting capabilities through expanded use of excess military aircrafts and parts. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the sale of military aircraft for use in aerial… Read more »

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) published an open letter to members of the United States Coast Guard, decrying the recent spate of policy changes in the service and the firing and eviction of the branch’s Commandant. “Where is the Executive Order addressing military pay and housing allowances in high cost-of-living… Read more »

President Joe Biden signed into law legislation sponsored by Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) to improve military families’ ability to compare housing options and identify subpar living conditions. "Our servicemembers – who sacrifice so much to protect our country – deserve reliable and safe housing for themselves and their families. However, too often I… Read more »

Legislation sponsored by Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) to improve military families’ ability to compare housing options and identify subpar living conditions was approved yesterday by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Military Housing Transparency and Accountability Act was included in this year’s annual defense policy legislation that was… Read more »

This week, Congress is advancing for the first time federal legislation that acknowledges the disruption that space launch noise has on nearby communities, as well as outlining steps it believes the Department of Defense should take to mitigate the impact of sonic booms and other disturbances. The language was secured by Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), a senior member of the House… Read more »

Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) issued the following statement on his vote on the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act: "The NDAA has been a product of diligent bipartisan negotiations for decades. This year, it largely continues that legacy – with one frustrating exception. This NDAA has a lot of good – from a record pay raise for enlisted servicemembers to… Read more »