House Democrats question acting Navy Secretary on conditions aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
The Hill · C · trust 30/100
Comments: by Mira Bhakta - 08/15/26 6:16 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Mira Bhakta - 08/15/26 6:16 PM ET Comments: Link copied NOW PLAYING A group of House Democrats sent a letter Friday to the Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao probing into conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln, a ship that has been docked in the Middle East for over 260 days.
The letter – sent by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Chris Deluzio (D-Penn.) and Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) – cited reports of declining conditions of the members and ship.
“The Lincoln’s extended deployment is accompanied by deeply troubling reports about sailors’ mental health and living conditions,” the lawmakers write.
“We recognize the severe logistical challenges that come with operating in a warzone,” they continued. “We also note that these challenges, including the inability to make port calls as frequently and the increased mental strain on sailors in a war environment, should be foreseeable and actions should be taken to mitigate the effects to the extent possible.”
The group questioned Cao on what the Department is doing to mitigate the effects the tenure of the deployment is having on sailors. They also asked if there are chronic hygiene issues and food shortages aboard the vessel.
There are about 5,000 sailors and Marines on the Lincoln, whose deployment, which started Nov. 21, has been extended in support of the U.S. war against Iran.
Families of the sailors say several sailors have tried to jump overboard or have been prevented from doing so during the extended tenure.
Navy officials and President Trump have denied any increase in suicide attempts on the ship. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also said that conditions aboard USS Lincoln have been “ completely misrepresented .”
Cao announced Friday in a statement that crew aboard the Lincoln “crushed their deployment” and will be “home soon as part of a planned rotation” with the USS George Washington.
“Details will come but let me be clear: the safety and security of our Sailors and Marines always comes first,” he continued.
Senate Democrats sent an inquiry Wednesday to Hegseth and Cao, citing similar reports of “deck safety concerns.”
The Navy did not respond to The Hill’s request for immediate comment.
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