Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff Launch Senate Inquiry into USS Abraham Lincoln Crew Health

SAN DIEGO, CA & WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a joint letter of inquiry to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti on Tuesday, demanding formal audits regarding living conditions and medical resources aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

Extended Combat Deployment and Habitability Concerns

The San Diego-homeported carrier has remained on extended operational deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of operations for over 250 consecutive days to deter regional maritime conflict in the Middle East.

Family advocacy groups and crew members reported persistent issues regarding potable water filtration reliability, delayed resupply of fresh provisions, and severe operational fatigue among aviation maintenance and engineering divisions operating in extreme ambient temperatures.

Congressional Oversight and Service Member Welfare

Senators Padilla and Schiff requested comprehensive water testing logs, mental health referral statistics, and deployment rotation schedules, asserting that maintaining military readiness requires unwavering support for service member welfare and operational safety standards.

The lawmakers noted that extended deployment extensions without adequate maintenance stand-downs risk compromising long-term naval readiness and crew retention.

Pentagon Response and Naval Evaluation

Navy spokespersons confirmed receipt of the congressional inquiry, stating that the Pacific Fleet Surgeon General and naval engineering inspections teams are actively reviewing shipboard habitability reports and will deliver formal findings to the Senate Armed Services Committee by September 10.