Lawmakers press Pentagon over USS Lincoln crew conditions
What's new: Members of Congress cited sanitation, water, supply and mental health concerns after the carrier stayed at sea past its planned deployment.
U.S. lawmakers are pressing the Pentagon for answers about conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after reports of prolonged stress and living problems on the carrier. Rep. Mike Levin and three other House members sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth a letter questioning why unsanitary conditions, inadequate mental health support and poor communication with families were not addressed sooner. Sen. Richard Blumenthal also wrote to Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, citing reports of basic supply shortages, water contamination, plumbing failures, deck safety concerns and mail disruptions. The Lincoln left Naval Base San Diego on Nov. 21, 2025, for a deployment initially planned to last seven months, but remained at sea beyond May.