National Security
The United States has the finest military in the world, and it is critical to ensure the brave women and men who serve have the resources, support, and equipment they need. As a 20-year Navy veteran and Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to supporting policies that will improve life for active duty military, support military families, build resiliency in defense communities, and ensure the Department of Defense spends your tax dollars as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Having a strong and ready military is only part of maintaining national security. Sending our troops into combat must always be a last resort. That is why I support diplomacy and encourage negotiations to resolve conflicts before they escalate. It is also important to support our allies, such as Israel, to protect U.S. interests around the world.
I am also fighting for Gold Star Families – those who have made the greatest sacrifice imaginable by losing an immediate relative in combat.
More on National Security
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria issued the following statement after Bahrain’s move to normalize relations with Israel.
"I am encouraged by today’s announcement that Bahrain is joining the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations with Israel. As we reflect on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this decision brings us one step closer to a peaceful and secure Middle East. I applaud President Trump’s work to broker this agreement and urge other Arab nations to follow suit."
WASHINGTON, D.C— Legislation introduced by Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congresswoman Elaine Luria (D, VA-2), the Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Military Act of 2019, was just passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, requiring the Secretary of State to outline a strategy to best utilize U.S. foreign aid to stop the smuggling of arms and related materials into Lebanon, which are used by Hezbollah to attack Israel.
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congresswoman Elaine Luria today praised House passage of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, keeping her promise to fight for servicemembers and military families in Hampton Roads and beyond.
The 20-year Navy veteran urges the President support this legislation to address defense spending and other fiscal issues to avoid continuing resolutions and other stopgaps that could impede future projects and negatively impact military readiness.
WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier this month, the House Armed Services Committee marked up the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, during which Congresswoman Luria advocated for Hampton Roads and a bipartisan approach to the most important national security legislation of the year. The bill passed the committee unanimously, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of the bill and the need to fully support national security in our country.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Armed Services Committee unanimously passed Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act that expressed Congressional support for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO). The amendment reiterates the importance of the MFO for regional security in the Sinai Peninsula and encourages continued United States Military support for the MFO.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Armed Services Committee unanimously passed Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act that requires the Navy to answer serious questions about its shipbuilding practices.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Armed Services Committee unanimously passed Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act that will require the Secretary of the Navy to report to Congress on interoperability challenges among combatant ships and between AEGIS combatants and 5th Generation tactical aircraft.
WASHINGTON, D.C. On Thursday Congresswoman Elaine Luria participated in a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces hearing to hear perspectives from outside the Navy about future force structure requirements and ship capacity and employment.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Luria released the following statement in response to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement that he is ending the sanctions waiver for JCPOA-related projects in Iran, effective in 60 days:
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA –Congresswoman Luria joined with several of her colleagues in calling on Secretary Esper and Secretary McPherson to grant weather and safety leave to non-telework eligible civilian personnel who either live with a high-risk family member or are asymptomatic of COVID-19 in order to protect public health and prevent community spread.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – This week, Congresswoman Luria sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer, urging them to take swift action regarding the Maritime Security Program. The Maritime Security Program (MSP) gives the military access to a versatile fleet of government owned or controlled and privately-owned vessels. These vessels support a global transportation network, but like many other industries are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Congresswoman Elaine Luria joined her colleagues in advocating for Virginia’s shipyard workers and the shipbuilding and ship repair industries in order to ensure continuity of this important work in the midst of this national pandemic.
“As a Navy veteran, I know how critical shipbuilding and maintenance is to maintaining military readiness,” said Congresswoman Luria. “As a complex and integrated system, we must maintain the momentum while safeguarding worker health.”
WASHINGTON – Last week, at the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee hearing on sealift and mobility requirements, Vice Chair Elaine Luria exposed unsettling sealift readiness and maintenance challenges.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria participated in a House Committee on Armed Services (HASC) hearing, where she questioned witnesses about the importance of carrier presence to the military’s mission in the Middle East.
WASHINGTON – This week, Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee Vice Chair Elaine Luria challenged Navy leadership on shipbuilding priorities in the President’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget request for the Department of the Navy.
WASHINGTON – This week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria questioned key Department of Defense and Navy leadership during two House Committee on Armed Services (HASC) budget hearings. Throughout both hearings, Congresswoman Luria emphasized key Navy readiness and shipbuilding issues.
Elaine G. Luria (VA 2), an up-and-coming member of the House Armed Services Committee, is angry.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria had a productive week on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). Over the last few days, the Congresswoman introduced a bill to give veterans more information higher education options, questioned Navy leadership about military readiness, and highlighted struggles that military sexual trauma (MST) survivors face as they pursue VA claims.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria today issued the following statement on H.Con.Res.83 - Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to terminate any engagement of United States Armed Forces in hostilities against Iran.
WASHINGTON – Today Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) issued the following statement on the killing of Qasem Soleimani.
“The killing of Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani was justified and morally right. It is wrong to say that the Americans started this conflict, as Iran has been attacking America and our allies through proxy groups for years. Soleimani has American blood on his hands at the behest of the rogue Iranian regime and as the leader of a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.”
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) voted for two Fiscal Year 2020 appropriations packages advancing key priorities for Coastal Virginia and national security interests.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) praised the results of the Conference Report for the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The final version of the NDAA keeps Congresswoman Luria’s longstanding promise to advocate for servicemembers and military families in Coastal Virginia and beyond.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria announced House passage of the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act (H.R. 729). This bipartisan bill contains her amendment advancing the coastal resiliency of military communities.
“Rising sea levels and recurrent flooding present immense challenges to communities throughout Hampton Roads as well as our nation’s military readiness,” Congresswoman Luria said. “My amendment improves H.R. 729 to better position military communities in Coastal Virginia.”
WASHINGTON – At a House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), a 20-year Navy veteran who retired at the rank of Commander, questioned top Navy leadership on critical military readiness issues facing America and her Coastal Virginia district.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) returned Monday evening from a high-level bipartisan delegation to Afghanistan, Jordan, and Qatar, where she heard directly from active-duty troops defending the United States, received briefings from top military and diplomatic officials, and visited with key Middle East leadership.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) is requesting clarification from the White House about how and why the President decided to withdraw U.S. forces from the Syria-Turkey border and effectively abandoned our Kurdish partners in the process.
As Turkish forces conducted an offensive military campaign into northeastern Syria, Congresswoman Luria joined more than 50 fellow lawmakers in demanding answers on what the administration’s plans are going forward.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week led a bipartisan letter to leadership of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, urging them to authorize the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) at $100 million in the Fiscal Year 2020 Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Congresswoman Elaine Luria Statement Marking 18 Years Since the Terror Attacks of September 11, 2001
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), a 20-year Navy veteran who retired in 2017 at the rank of Commander, issued the following statement today.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today participated in the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force’s Forum on the Urgent Need for Senate Action, where she was joined by dozens of colleagues urging Senate Republicans to vote on commonsense, House-passed background check legislation.
At the hearing, members of Congress asked witnesses questions to highlight the need for action on gun safety legislation.
Witnesses present at today’s hearing were:
WASHINGTON – When Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) recently toured Naval Air Station Oceana, she asked for the top issue at the East Coast Master Jet Base. The blunt answer? “Infrastructure.”
With most of the base infrastructure built in the 1950s, Oceana’s Commanding Officer, CAPT Chad Vincelette, highlighted the pressing need to renovate or replace aging facilities.
VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration’s plan to divert $3.6 billion in military construction funds, including by taking away more than $77 million in funding from four projects in the Hampton Roads region.
VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) spoke Friday at a meeting of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (HRCMOAA), describing her efforts to help servicemembers, military families, and veterans to an audience of local retired military officers, spouses, and guests.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week joined 47 members of Congress to call on House and Senate leadership to take immediate action to address the rising threat of white supremacist terrorism.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced the House of Representatives approved a pair of her amendments as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help servicemembers and their families.
These include an amendment to ensure that the men and women who educate the children of military families are not subject to unfair taxation and another to encourage continued research that is occurring within the Navy’s Wound Care Research Program.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today voted in support of a bipartisan budget agreement that would permanently end the threat of sequestration, protect the full faith and credit of the United States, and promote military readiness in Hampton Roads and beyond.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) praised the House Foreign Affairs Committee for unanimously passing a bipartisan resolution opposing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, calling it a key step in voicing congressional support for Israel.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today praised House passage of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), keeping her promise to fight for servicemembers and military families in Hampton Roads and beyond.
The 20-year Navy veteran urged both houses of Congress and the President to come together on defense spending and other fiscal issues to avoid continuing resolutions and other stopgaps that could impede future projects and negatively impact military readiness.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced House passage of $343 million in funding she requested to advance important local priorities including maritime security, shipbuilding, and veteran services.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week secured language in a House-passed funding bill directing the Department of Defense (DoD) and other agencies to prioritize important issues related to military readiness, renewable energy, and veteran assistance.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today spoke on the House Floor and commended the passage of House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr.’s (NJ-06) amendment to prohibit federal spending to advance oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic Ocean. Congresswoman Luria cosponsored the Pallone amendment.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced that she is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon’s Military Act of 2019, partnering with lead sponsor Congressman Lee Zeldin (NY-01).
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced House passage of nearly $10 billion in funding that she requested for important defense priorities, including aircraft and submarine procurement, scientific and medical research, and community support.
VIDEO: Congresswoman Elaine Luria Highlights “Unacceptable” Child Care Options for Military Families
WASHINGTON – Using data published by The Virginian Pilot and the United States Naval Institute, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week called attention to the “unacceptable” child care options for military families in Coastal Virginia, specifically citing the lack of child care to support the U.S. Navy facility at Wallops Island.
WASHINGTON – This afternoon at a House Committee on Armed Services hearing, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) challenged a top Navy official on the fact that he could not adequately answer questions about the lack of diversity in the Navy officer corps and why the Navy has the lowest rate of female officer retention.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) announced she will serve as Vice Chair and co-founder of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus (SWWV).
Following the record-setting arrival of four women veterans in the House – the largest number ever – the formation of the caucus is intended to foster collaboration among House members and address issues facing America’s servicewomen and women veterans.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), a Navy veteran who retired at the rank of Commander, today questioned top Navy leadership on a range of issues, citing excessive “change and churn” as an obstacle to effective strategic planning.
WASHINGTON – Today at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Elaine Luria asked top Air Force leaders about their familiarity with the Independent Review of the Department of Defense Nuclear Enterprise, conducted in 2014.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today released the following statement after the Air Force announced that it recommends permanently relocating the F-22 Flight and Maintenance Formal Training Unit to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton Roads.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria today highlighted new Defense Department data revealing the potential effects of the President’s national emergency declaration on military families and communities in Virginia’s Second Congressional District.
WASHINGTON – This week, members of the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the impacts of climate change on military installations and operational readiness.
The hearing, titled “Ensuring Resiliency of Military Installations and Operations in Response to Climate Change,” convened expert witnesses to provide testimony on the immediate and long-term effects climate change will have on the military.
WASHINGTON – During a House Armed Services Committee hearing today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) called for increased American coordination with NATO allies in the face of more Russian and Chinese maritime presence in European waters.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today was named Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, a critical position for the Hampton Roads region.
“I’m proud to take leadership roles that will produce bipartisan solutions for active-duty military and veterans,” Congresswoman Luria said. “With jurisdiction over maritime programs, shipbuilding, and more, the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee is crucial to the Hampton Roads community, and I am honored to serve in this capacity.”