US congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after reports of food shortages, plumbing failures and worsening mental health among its crew during its record-length deployment.
In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, Senator Richard Blumenthal urged the Navy to explain the conditions aboard the carrier, which has spent more than 250 days deployed and over 200 consecutive days at sea without coming ashore — a record.
Blumenthal cited reports of shortages of essential supplies, contaminated water, plumbing problems, declining mental health and safety concerns on the ship.
Senator Ruben Gallego separately called for a bipartisan Senate delegation to visit the USS Lincoln and investigate the reported conditions.
The carrier left San Diego on November 21, 2025, initially bound for the South China Sea, but was later redirected to the Middle East ahead of US-Israeli attacks on Iran that began on February 28.
According to MSNOW, family members of the approximately 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the carrier have confronted Navy officials over the conditions and questioned when their relatives would be able to return home.
Reports have also alleged serious mental health problems, including suicide attempts aboard the ship.
“The stories of crew members threatening to jump off the ship are a frightening alarm bell as to how bad the situation has become: moldy showers, sporadic hot water, rationed meals and soap, broken toilets, and grueling 12- to 16-hour shifts with no days off,” Gallego wrote on X.
“The way (US President Donald Trump) is treating our service members as he carries out this illegal war is not just disgusting, it’s dangerous.”
The US Navy had not immediately responded to AFP’s request for comment.
