“Yesterday’s defense spending bill will bolster our nation’s defense capabilities, support our servicemen and women, and reinforce our military to be more capable and ready than ever before to face foreign adversaries. I am proud to support this legislation that will authorize key investments through defense programs in East Camden, a lynchpin for ensuring the United States remains a global defense leader, supplies our nation with critical arms and supplies, and supports the hardworking Arkansans who are employed by our defense industry.

“Our servicemembers stand sentinel at freedom’s gate, sacrificing everything so we may live in a free and prosperous nation. This is why Congress must always fight to provide the support our military needs for the well-being of those who serve. In the FY26 NDAA, servicemembers will receive a much-needed pay raise, military bonuses and special pay will be reauthorized and expanded, and Family Separation Allowances for deployed servicemembers will be increased. Their bravery and service are invaluable, and I am always proud to stand in full support of our servicemen and women.

“As global adversaries continue to threaten democracy not only in our homeland but around the world, it is encouraging to see several initiatives included in this bill to take decisive action on hostile forces like China, Russia, and global terrorist organizations, while continuing to support our Israeli allies who hold the line for democracy in the Middle East. By rolling back inefficient programs and streamlining defense acquisition processes, House Republicans are stewarding taxpayer dollars while also ensuring the United States remains the global leader in defense. It is a great honor to vote alongside my Republican colleagues in favor of this year’s NDAA, and I look forward to seeing its swift passage in the Senate.”

BACKGROUND:

The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act:

• Ends left-wing ideology, wokeism, and DEI in the military and restores focus on lethality, meritocracy, and accountability.
• Fully funds and provides additional authorities to Department of Defense (DoD) to support DHS border security efforts.
• Fundamentally reforms the DoD acquisition process, codifying President Trump’s EO and speeding the delivery of innovative new technologies to the warfighter.
• Improves the quality of life for our service members with a 3.8% pay raise and improved benefits for military families.
• Creates a new, accelerated requirements process designed to solve capability gaps, reducing decision timelines from nearly three years to as few as 90 days.
• Prohibits funding for the teaching, training, or promotion of CRT in the military, including at service academies and DoD schools.
• Repeals all existing DoD DEI offices, programs, training, activities, and authorities.
• Fully funds the deployment of National Guard and active-duty troops in support of Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.
• Repeals outdated requirements that complicate construction planning and impose a cost premium on projects.
• Authorizes over $1.4 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing.
• Mandates that DoD deliver a plan to meet their unfulfilled legal obligations on health, safety, and environmental hazards in military housing.
• Authorizes over $577 million to renovate military hospitals and build new medical facilities.
• Improves servicemember access to mental health services.
• Authorizes additional funding for air and missile defense development and testing, including full funding for procurement of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), SM3-IIA, and Patriot missile defense systems.
• Increases funding for innovative new technologies needed to deter the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including hypersonics, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, cyber, mobile micronuclear reactors, and high-energy lasers.
• Supports ongoing efforts by DoD to mitigate dependencies on China for rare earth magnets.
• Prohibits DoD from allowing Chinese-owned or controlled entities to operate concessions or other businesses on military installations.
• Fully funds the U.S. commitment to defend Israel through joint U.S.-Israel cooperative, utilizing missiles manufactured in Arkansas, including Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling.
• Declares that supporting further defense cooperation with Israel is the policy of the United States.
• Requires the EUCOM Commander to conduct an annual assessment of the threat posed by Russia and how the U.S. and NATO are maintaining a comparative military advantage against Russia.