Congresswoman Simon Votes Against the Department of Defense Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Simon released the below statement regarding her vote on H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025. 

“This week, I voted NO on the annual Department of Defense funding bill, which would have given the Pentagon $830 BILLION dollars. I will always vote NO on any spending bill that pours billions into militarism while our children sleep in shelters and our elders ration insulin. And especially at a time when Republicans are cutting health care, education, food, and climate programs. I am also deeply opposed to any legislation that subsidizes war, genocide, or the gross erosion of international human rights. 

“I came to Congress from a lineage of those who know that war does not make us stronger, and I came here to lift the voices of a district that believes safety is found in care and community. 

“Let us also be direct about this moment. Amendments brought forth in bad faith by Members of Congress who have no interest in peace are purposefully designed to weaponize devastating human suffering for politics. I opposed the defense funding bill and have previously supported legislation that limits the transfer of the most egregious offensive weapons to Israel that violate U.S. law. But I chose not to support Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s amendment because it does nothing to stop the munitions being used in Gaza or make meaningful progress towards ending the devastation. There is no serious path to peace that comes from a party that bans books, defunds schools, and props up dictators. I remain focused on stemming the flow of U.S. offensive weapons that have contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of people in Gaza and working towards a just peace.” 

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