US Senator Richard Blumenthal has sought answers from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao over living and working conditions for sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. In a Wednesday letter, the Senate Armed Services Committee member raised concerns about the carrier, which the report said has been at sea for more than 250 days after its deployment was extended.

Blumenthal cited reports of shortages of basic supplies, water contamination, plumbing problems, deteriorating sailor mental health, safety risks on the deck and major disruptions to mail service. He said many care packages sent to the carrier had been lost in transit for months. The USS Abraham Lincoln departed Naval Base San Diego, California, on November 21, 2025, for an initially planned seven-month deployment, with a return expected in May.

The deployment was later extended and no return date has been publicly announced. Blumenthal said the ship has spent more than 200 consecutive days at sea without stopping at a port, describing it as a record. He called for a prompt investigation and questioned whether the Navy can sustain operational demands while maintaining sailor welfare, equipment readiness and scheduled maintenance.