Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is hailing final House passage of the 2026 pay raise for the military, part of the yearly major Defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

The bill, which passed Wednesday by a vote of 312-112, raises pay for U.S. Service Members by 3.8 percent next year, building on the prior year’s historic pay raise of over 14.5 percent for junior enlisted ranks (E-1 through E-4) with a 4.5 percent raise for all other military in the previous NDAA for fiscal year 2025, and the year before that a 5.2 percent increase – at the time, the highest boost in decades. 

“Our dedicated military Service Members have earned every dollar of this increase and more,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you to our Toa o Samoa for your service. The well-being of our Service Members and their families must always be a top priority, along with ensuring national readiness and defense systems. Over the last several years of the NDAA, we’ve built a growing focus on the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.” 

The House previously passed an NDAA in July, and after the Senate passed their version, leaders met in conference negotiating on the two bills for this final version, S. 1071. 

Congresswoman Amata welcomes the inclusion of several of her priorities. 

Amata’s bill, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act, which had already passed the House in May, was included as a section of this final NDAA. (See Congresswoman Amata’s separate release detailing this legislative success.) Her legislation provides statutory authority for previous diplomacy stabilizing tuna agreements among the U.S. and 16 South Pacific nations, allowing the U.S. fleet to plan and depend on these policies. “It’s wonderful to complete this lengthy effort,” said Aumua Amata. “Implementing this treaty ensures available days and access for our fleet, and better secures U.S. tuna for our national food supply.”

In another legislative success, a version of her House effort to provide VA healthcare benefits to Veterans from the Freely Associated States (FAS) is included. Congresswoman Amata, along with Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim, Congressman Ed Case of Hawaii, and Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds of CNMI, had proffered a bipartisan amendment to keep the nation’s commitment to U.S. veterans from the islands. 

“It’s important to honor our support for our island veterans, which were negotiated as part of the recent discussion for the renewed Compacts of Free Association. I worked on that legislation in the previous Congress. These FAS veterans served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and absolutely deserve these benefits, and I appreciate the Senate and House leaders accepting our bipartisan efforts into the final bill,” said Congresswoman Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC).

In a third key priority, the NDAA includes the five-year authorization of the United States Coast Guard, complete with congressional direction to conduct a homeport analysis, and continue to enhance the cutter fleet.

“I have long favored a more permanent Coast Guard presence operating consistently out of Pago Pago Harbor, strengthening efforts against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (I.U.U.) fishing, and sending an important signal of commitment to the South Pacific,” continued Congresswoman Amata.

Each year the NDAA focus is refined for current and upcoming needs. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 bill included major new support for housing and quality of life improvements, while the FY 2025 bill emphasized improved acquisition. 

This year, the $900 billion NDAA for FY 2026 is aimed at peace through strength including speeding up defense procurements, such as development of the next generation of air dominance fighters, naval vessels, along with strengthening Pacific security, especially strongly bolstered support for U.S. economic and technology interests in Taiwan. 

Each year the NDAA is the largest Defense authorization bill, comprising all aspects of the Pentagon’s operations, including training, equipment, and current and future weapons system. Due to its importance, Congress has never failed to pass the yearly NDAA, with the first one passing in 1961 for fiscal year 1962. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting a new legislative success, as a House-passed bill she sponsored, the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act, has been included as part of the year’s biggest Defense bill, up for final passage in a few days. Amata’s bill had already passed the House in May, when she gave a speech in its support on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, and is now a section of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), S. 1017. The House vote on final passage of the House-Senate negotiated NDAA is expected later this week.

Amata’s bipartisan legislation, introduced with Congressman Ed Case (D-Hawai’i) as the original cosponsor, provides congressional direction and statutory authority to fully implement the South Pacific Tuna Treaty and supports the stability of U.S. tuna fleet operations. This treaty was negotiated among the U.S. and 16 Pacific Islands nations, operating on a Memorandum of Understanding awaiting Congress to pass these policies into law.

“It’s wonderful to see this lengthy effort coming to a successful conclusion, with my bill now part of major defense legislation that has been passed for 65 straight years,” said Congresswoman Amata. “The Tuna Treaty itself, followed by our legislation, represents years of work by our nation’s diplomats and bipartisan support in Congress. I can’t possibly name everyone who had a part, but I especially thank Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Congressman Case.”

“In beautiful American Samoa, our marine economy depends on fishing, and is a constant priority,” Amata continued. “Implementing this treaty helps conclusively guide operations and decision-making for our fleet, and secure U.S. tuna in our national food supply chain.”

Amata’s previous bill was also passed by the House in 2024 but had not yet passed the Senate when the 118th Congress finished. In contrast, in this Congress, the House passed her previously vetted bipartisan bill more than a year earlier in the two-year Congressional session, and the Senate recognized its importance and included it in larger “must pass” legislation – the NDAA has been passed into law every year for over six decades. 

Amata’s bill amends the South Pacific Tuna Treaty Act of 1988 to reflect the amendments to the Treaty, building on a decade of effort. In 2022, the Senate provided overwhelming bipartisan support for advice and consent to ratification, and Amata’s bill completes this longstanding process and resolves restrictions. The Treaty officially stabilizes high seas fishing days and codifies access to various island nations’ EEZ waters. 

Testimony in 2024 highlighted that the U.S. tuna purse seine fleet has been reduced in a relatively few years’ time from 34 vessels to 13 vessels, due to economic challenges from regulation, reduced access, and the problem of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. In a hearing of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, on which Amata serves, William Gibbons-Fly, the Executive Director of the American Tunaboat Association, testified that the last true “distant water fishing fleet” under the U.S. flag operates from Pago Pago Harbor, and are “multi-generational, family-owned businesses with a long and storied history as an important part of the U.S. fishing industry.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

 Today, the House of Representatives passed the Electric Supply Chain Act, legislation introduced by Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, to strengthen oversight of supply chains supporting electricity generation and transmission. 

The Electric Supply Chain Act directs the Department of Energy to consult with relevant stakeholders to produce periodic assessments of supply chain trends, risks, and vulnerabilities affecting electricity generation and transmission.

“Energy security is national security, and this bill brings us one step closer to unleashing American energy dominance. The Electric Supply Chain Act will strengthen the reliability of our electric grid, expand domestic energy production, and ensure we can power the artificial intelligence data centers of the future. Together, these efforts reinforce American-led energy production and security across the board. I’m grateful to my House colleagues for supporting this bill, and I urge the Senate to act on this critical legislation,” Latta said.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

Read Bill Text

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), introduced the Airport Revenue Clarity Act, a bill that will return $30 million in tax revenue to Clayton County and the Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS). The measure addresses rules created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that prevents the county from collecting revenue from local general sales taxes on aviation fuel.

“Clayton County and its schools lose more than $30 million every single year because of this unfair sales tax loophole,” said Congressman David Scott.  “These are funds that need to be supporting our students, strengthening our classrooms, and ensuring our teachers have the money they need to help our students succeed. Our students deserve the full benefit of the tax revenue generated in their own community. I am working with both Democrats and Republicans to pass this legislation.”

“Our community has watched as revenue generated at the world’s busiest airport left our county while our schools and services stretched to do more with less,” said Clayton County Commissioner Tashé Allen. “Regaining the right to collect and invest those tax dollars where they belong isn’t just a policy fix, it affirms that Clayton County matters and ensures that revenue generated here is reinvested in our schools, infrastructure, and public services.”

In 2014, the FAA created regulations restricting the use of revenues for local and state general sales tax on aviation fuel—requiring funds to be used only for capital or operating costs of local airports. Clayton County had levied general sales taxes long before the 2014 FAA rule. However, since the regulations’ implementation, the county has lost over $30 million in tax revenue annually, half of which is dedicated to Clayton County Public School (CCPS)—even as the county does not directly sponsor nor provide oversight of Hartsfield-Jackson. These restrictions have diverted significant funds away from the community, money that Clayton County voters approved, and local leaders allocated to improve public schools, transportation infrastructure, and other local essential services.

The Airport Revenue Clarity Act would:

• Exempt Clayton County, CCPS, and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport from federal restrictions on the use of revenue collected through local sales taxes on aviation fuel.
• Eliminate outdated federal requirements that force grant applicants to submit duplicative written assurances regarding how revenue is used in order to qualify for airport development projects.

Full text of the bill can be accessed HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating storms and severe flooding hitting Washington state this week.

The latest flood hazard outlook from the National Weather Service forecasts “catastrophic” river flooding in parts of Northwest Washington, and “considerable flooding” in a wide stretch of land from Bellingham to south of Olympia. State authorities have ordered “GO NOW” evacuations for the entire 100-year floodplain of the Skagit River valley. On Wednesday, Governor Ferguson said an estimated 100,000 Washingtonians could face evacuation orders, and declared a statewide emergency alongside his request for a federal Emergency Declaration. An Emergency Declaration would supplement state, local, and Tribal responders and allow the federal government to assist with debris removal and emergency protective measures.

“We write in support of Washington state’s December 10, 2025 request for an expedited Emergency Declaration due to the devastating extreme rainfall, high winds, heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, and major coastal, river, and localized flooding caused by an extreme atmospheric river and winter weather event that struck the state beginning on December 2, 2025. We urge you to approve this request for assistance as quickly as possible,” the delegation wrote. “This storm is threatening lives, property, and livestock in every corner of Washington. The storm has had severe and widespread impacts on our transportation system, with major highways closed due to mudslides and communities cut off by rising water. The National Weather Service forecasts that more than a dozen Washington rivers will see major flooding in the coming days, leading to further and worsening impacts.”

The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

“On the Cowlitz River, water has overtopped Highway 12, isolating the communities of Randle and Packwood. Most major routes through the Cascade Mountains connecting western Washington to the rest of the state have been closed or seen landslides and other severe impacts. In Skagit County alone, local government officials expect to issue evacuation orders for over 75,000 residents, over half of the county’s total population. The county is bracing for significant loss of life, infrastructure, and property, with a full recovery expected to take years or even decades. Some areas on the Skagit River may see floodwaters rise five feet higher than the existing record,” the Members continued.

“We are grateful to the local, state, Tribal, and federal officials who have quickly mobilized to respond to this storm. Our first responders and emergency personnel are working around the clock and in dangerous conditions to protect lives, provide essential services, and keep our communities safe. It is essential that the federal government steps in to provide the resources necessary to allow our state to respond to this disaster and begin the road to recovery as soon as possible,” the delegation concluded. “An expedited Emergency Declaration is critical to help with debris removal and emergency protection measures.”

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President:

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s December 10, 2025 request for an expedited Emergency Declaration due to the devastating extreme rainfall, high winds, heavy snowfall, ice accumulation, and major coastal, river, and localized flooding caused by an extreme atmospheric river and winter weather event that struck the state beginning on December 2, 2025. We urge you to approve this request for assistance as quickly as possible.

This storm is threatening lives, property, and livestock in every corner of Washington. The storm has had severe and widespread impacts on our transportation system, with major highways closed due to mudslides and communities cut off by rising water. The National Weather Service forecasts that more than a dozen Washington rivers will see major flooding in the coming days, leading to further and worsening impacts.

On the Cowlitz River, water has overtopped Highway 12, isolating the communities of Randle and Packwood. Most major routes through the Cascade Mountains connecting western Washington to the rest of the state have been closed or seen landslides and other severe impacts. In Skagit County alone, local government officials expect to issue evacuation orders for over 75,000 residents, over half of the county’s total population. The county is bracing for significant loss of life, infrastructure, and property, with a full recovery expected to take years or even decades. Some areas on the Skagit River may see floodwaters rise five feet higher than the existing record.

We are grateful to the local, state, Tribal, and federal officials who have quickly mobilized to respond to this storm. Our first responders and emergency personnel are working around the clock and in dangerous conditions to protect lives, provide essential services, and keep our communities safe. It is essential that the federal government steps in to provide the resources necessary to allow our state to respond to this disaster and begin the road to recovery as soon as possible.

An expedited Emergency Declaration is critical to help with debris removal and emergency protection measures. We appreciate your prompt attention to this request.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, Panetta Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hire, Train, and Retain New Prosecutors

Washington, DC – Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral, Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for Prosecutors Act (HIRRE Prosecutors Act) of 2025. The legislation would allow local governments to better support, hire, train, and retain local prosecutors critical to protecting local public safety. The HIRRE Prosecutors Act would create a competitive federal grant program to better assist district attorneys in prosecuting cases and protecting the rule of law, with the staff and resources they need to get the job done. Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02) is also co-leading this effort.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many local prosecutors’ offices have seen increased turnover. Some states have seen turnover rates as high as 43.5% in a single year, struggling to both retain and fill the staff critical to upholding the law. Unlike police departments, local prosecutors receive little to no federal assistance. The HIRRE Prosecutors Act would address that gap through a new program modeled on the successful, decades-old COPS Hiring Program, which would invest $10 million annually in the hiring, training, and retention of prosecutors and staff.

“Our local officials lack essential resources to effectively prosecute offenders. This legislation would provide support through the Department of Justice, helping to stabilize police departments and strengthen local attorney offices responsible for prosecuting cases,” said Rep. Bacon. “For those facing staffing and resource shortages in Nebraska, the added support from this bill would help ensure that cases are handled efficiently and fairly. Specifically, the HIRRE Prosecutors Act would establish a program offering competitive grants to district attorneys’ offices, with the goal of reinforcing public trust in the legal process.”

“For far too long, our local district attorneys’ offices haven’t had the resources they need to compete with private, better-paying law firms for top talent,” said Rep. Panetta. “The HIRRE Prosecutors Act would create a first-of-its-kind federal grant program to invest in the legal talent needed to work as prosecutors and hold people accountable. With these types of grants, the federal government can play its part to help our local prosecutors’ offices properly seek truth and justice and help enhance public safety.”

“I’m proud to join Rep. Panetta in support of this historic program that provides support for our state, territorial, local, and tribal prosecutors, who work each and every day to protect the public,” said Rep. Neguse. “This bill, the HIRRE Prosecutors Act, will ensure that communities across the nation, especially folks in our rural and mountain communities, can recruit and retain qualified attorneys.”

“Since the pandemic, district attorney offices have faced significant recruitment and retention challenges, which has been exacerbated by a lack of federal support needed to address workforce shortages” said Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “The HIRRE Prosecutors Act is a critical step to remedy this – establishing a grant program that mirrors the support currently given to local law enforcement through the COPS Hiring Program to ensure that district attorneys’ offices have the resources they need to prosecute cases and uphold the rule of law in our communities. Thank you, Congressman Panetta, for your leadership and commitment to supporting local district attorneys across the country.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar issued the following statement:

Donald Trump’s out-of-control behavior continues to put the health, safety and economic well-being of the American people at risk. At the same time, House Republicans have zero interest in holding this corrupt administration accountable.

When Republicans gained full control of government this year, they promised to lower the cost of living on day one. Costs haven’t gone down, they’ve gone up. Life in America is more expensive and Republicans have not done a damn thing to address the affordability crisis. In fact, Donald Trump believes it’s a hoax.

House Democrats remain laser-focused on fighting to lower the high cost of living, fix our broken healthcare system and clean up corruption. Moving forward, Congress must reclaim its constitutional role as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch. 

Impeachment is a sacred constitutional vehicle designed to hold a corrupt executive accountable for abuse of power, breaking the law and violating the public trust. The effort traditionally requires a comprehensive investigative process, the collection and review of thousands of documents, an exacting scrutiny of the facts, the examination of dozens of key witnesses, Congressional hearings, sustained public organizing and the marshaling of the forces of democracy to build a broad national consensus. None of that serious work has been done, with the Republican majority focused solely on rubber stamping Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. Accordingly, we will be voting “present” on today’s motion to table the impeachment resolution as we continue our fight to make life more affordable for everyday Americans. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA), which includes major improvements to servicemember quality of life, ensures our warfighters remain the most lethal and well-equipped in the world, and codifies all or part of 15 of President Trump’s executive orders to promote his Peace Through Strength agenda.

Additionally, the NDAA included key provisions to support the entire Louisiana military community, including Barksdale Air Force Base and Air Force Global Strike Command, Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center, and Camp Minden.

Shreveport Times: “Barksdale, other Louisiana bases score big wins in defense bill” here or below:

Barksdale Air Force scored big wins in the annual National Defense Authorization Act passed by the U.S. House late Dec. 10, pushed through by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport-Bossier.

The nation’s troops will earn a 3.8% raise in the bill, while funding also will advance key initiatives at Barksdale, Fort Polk and other Louisiana military installations.

“This legislation includes important House-passed provisions to ensure our military forces remain the most lethal in the world and can deter any adversary,” Johnson said in a statement. “The legislation improves the livelihoods of America’s brave men and women in uniform by giving them a well-deserved pay raise, and ensures our warfighters have access to the best and most innovative military technologies.”

A new study shows Louisiana’s military economy accounted for $17 billion in annual activity statewide during 2024, a 77% increase in overall economic activity since 2021.

Republican Congressman Clay Higgins of Lafayette said he will continue to advocate for defense investment in Louisiana as the state’s only member of the House Armed Services Committee.

“As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I worked very hard to ensure Louisiana’s military bases and defense industry businesses were properly authorized and funded,” Higgins said in a text to USA Today Network Dec. 11. “The NDAA provides significant growth for shipbuilding programs in Louisiana and I will always support the men and women of our military.” 

Barksdale Air Force Base

• Weapons Generation Facility Dormitory ($18 million): This dormitory will be built to support the new $275 million Weapons Generation Facility, which is currently under construction.
• Child Development Center Design ($2.2 million): This funding will support a new Child Development Center at Barksdale. It will build a 13-room addition to the existing CDC. The existing facility is undersized and in poor condition.
• Air Force B-52 program: The NDAA includes $931 million for the continued modernization of the B-52. These upgrades will allow the B-52 to continue to serve as the core of the Air Force’s bomber mission.
• Long range standoff weapon: $607 million to support the continued development of the new Long Range Standoff Weapon (LSRO). The LRSO will replace the existing air launched cruise missiles (ALCM), which have been in service since the 1980s.
• Air Force Global Strike Command: The NDAA establishes the Global Strike Command as an Air Force Major Command.  The Commander of Global Strike Command will continue to serve as the single point of contact to the secretary and the chief of staff of the Air Force for carrying out all aspects of nuclear and long-range strike missions of the Air Force, solidifying even further the importance of Barksdale Air Force Base’s Global Strike Command.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Praises Passage of FY26 Defense Policy Bill

Washington – Yesterday, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Cyber, Information Technology and Innovation Subcommittee, voted with his House colleagues to support final passage of S.1071, the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed the House of Representatives with a bipartisan majority of 312 to 112, and is now headed to the Senate and then to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. This essential annual legislation, which contains multiple sections authored by Rep. Bacon, authorizes defense spending and sets the policy and priorities for the Armed Forces.

“My colleagues in the House have demonstrated that when we cooperate, we can pass bipartisan legislation that benefits our national security. Once again, we have maintained the trust of the American people by passing the annual defense authorization,” said Rep Bacon. “There are significant highlights in this bill for the 2^nd Congressional District of Nebraska, and the entire country. This year’s NDAA revolutionizes the way that the Pentagon purchases weapons systems for our warfighters while also taking care of our all-volunteer force and their families. I commend Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith, my fellow Members of the Committee and Congress, and all the staff who worked tirelessly to bring this bill to the finish line.”

Highlights from the FY 2026 bill include:

• Authorizes over $900 billion for national defense with significant investments in the defense industrial base, munitions production, and critical technologies, including artificial intelligence, space, autonomous systems, and hypersonic weapons, as well as a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers
• Sets major reforms to the defense acquisition system to speed development and fielding of modern technologies while reducing bureaucracy
• Preserves U.S. force posture in Europe and authorizes additional security assistance to the Baltic Nations and Ukraine
• Fully funds modernization of the U.S strategic nuclear deterrent as well as scientific capabilities and nuclear command, control, and communications architectures
• Boosts compensation for our servicemembers, invests in barracks improvements, reforms on-base housing, and supports childcare for military families
• Protects senior military leaders from being dismissed or forced to resign without explanation
• Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide additional information and transparency to Congress on the counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean

In addition, this year’s NDAA contains numerous legislative proposals sponsored by Rep. Bacon, including: 

• Authorization of support to Ukraine and the Baltic Nations of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia to counter Russian aggression
• Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to provide an acquisition and fielding strategy for the F-47 advanced fighter aircraft program
• Creates a program of record for a combined military-civilian medical surge capability
• Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish the Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network
• Directs significant security upgrades to DoD mobile telecommunications
• Directs the major defense acquisitions programs to prepare digital manufacturing transition plans for critical components
• Directs the Secretary of Defense to establish the Center for Strategic Deterrence and WMD Studies at the National Defense University
• Directs the Secretary of the Air Force to produce a study on the future of the Airborne Operations Center
• Authorizes $15 million for USSTRATCOM’s nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) rapid engineering architecture collaboration hub (REACH) initiative at Offutt AFB

The text of the NDAA and related documents can be found here. Watch Rep. Bacon’s remarks on the FY26 NDAA here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement after the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 312-112. This legislation is a bipartisan agreement between the House and Senate to enhance our national security by building a ready, capable, lethal fighting force to deter our adversaries and protect the United States.

Importantly, this NDAA includes multiple provisions authored by Congressman Huizenga that address China and Strategic Ports (H.R. 1701), NATO defense spending, and a historic overhauling and streamlining of the public diplomacy arm of the State Department (H.R. 5251). The legislation now heads to the Senate.

“Overall, this bipartisan agreement strengthens our national security, provides our troops with a well-deserved pay raise, and enhances our military readiness,” said Congressman Huizenga. “My bipartisan Strategic Ports Reporting Act allows the United States to not only evaluate the strategic investments by China, but more importantly counter China’s expansionist policies in the Western Hemisphere. This NATO provision strongly reinforces the American position that our European Allies meet their new spending commitments of 3.5% on defense and 1.5% on military infrastructure. Lastly, my bipartisan provisions to overhaul public diplomacy and strategic communication at the State Department will make the United States more effective at countering adversaries and promoting American Leadership.”

“This restructuring has been needed for years, and I am proud to have delivered these crucial reforms to enhance American Diplomacy and improve our ability to address threats to our national security,” continued Congressman Huizenga.  “By streamlining the public diplomacy structure at the State Department, it will align personnel, budgets, and regional teams across the globe under a single chain of command. This will help ensure messages are integrated, disciplined, and strategically directed.  Importantly, this overhaul also requires annual reports to Congress that include clear metrics, benchmarks, and adversary-response assessments which will enhance the ability of Congress to conduct oversight over the State Department and more effectively weigh in on matters of national security. Additionally, these reforms require and enforce results-based mana

gement across educational and cultural exchanges, aligning them with strategic priorities and foreign policy outcomes making the State Department as a whole more efficient and more effective.”