Democrats demand answers on Navy’s evacuation of military families from Bahrain

Thirty congressional Democrats, among them House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith, have pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain why the Pentagon refused to prolong financial aid for Navy families pulled out of Bahrain. Their joint letter, first obtained by MS NOW, calls the decision unacceptable and sets a Nov. 13 deadline for responses.

The aid, known inside the department as safe haven entitlements, ends once a family signs a permanent lease, and families were told to do so by Dec. 1. Many belongings remain stuck in Bahrain, so households must furnish new homes at their own expense. The lawmakers also ask what reimbursement process exists, if any, and how many claims are pending. They further seek details on how the disabling of Naval Support Activity Bahrain, hit by Iranian strikes in late February, has affected operations in the Iran war and the wider region.

MS NOW's earlier reporting described more than 1,250 people leaving the base, with spouses calling the evacuation chaotic and families draining savings while moving across continents. Rep. Patrick Ryan, D-N.Y., accused Hegseth of abandoning these families, while Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa., a former Navy officer, said Hegseth should be fired.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →