Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter brings home more than $320 million for GA-01 in NDAA

Carter brings home more than $320 million for GA-01 in NDAA

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson commended House passage of S. 1017, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA). This annual legislation includes major priorities for the Louisiana military community, particularly Barksdale Air Force Base and Air Force Global Strike Command, Fort Polk and the Joint Readiness Training Center, and Camp Minden.

“This year’s National Defense Authorization Act helps advance President Trump and Republicans’ Peace Through Strength Agenda by codifying 15 of President Trump’s executive orders, ending woke ideology at the Pentagon, securing the border, revitalizing the defense industrial base, and restoring the warrior ethos.

“This legislation includes important House-passed provisions to ensure our military forces remain the most lethal in the world and can deter any adversary. It roots out Biden-era wokeism in our military and restores merit-based promotions and admissions to service academies, prohibits contracts with partisan firms, counters antisemitism, and halts harmful, unnecessary programs like CRT, DEI, and climate initiatives. 

“President Trump has made clear the past few decades of investments propping up Communist China’s aggression must come to an end, and this bill includes important guardrails to protect America’s long-term investments, economic interests, and sensitive data.

“The NDAA builds on the landmark investments included in the Working Families Tax Cut, ensuring America has both the economic strength and the military power to deter our enemies and protect our interests worldwide. 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. 

“Under President Trump, the U.S. is rebuilding strength, restoring deterrence, and proving America will not back down. President Trump and Republicans promised peace through strength. The FY26 NDAA delivers it,” Speaker Johnson said.

Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District Provisions included in the FY26 NDAA:

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 (CDC) 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

• Codifying 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.
• Bomber Aircraft Force Structure and Transition Roadmap
• The Air Force will be required to submit to Congress a comprehensive roadmap detailing the planned force structure, basing, modernization, and transition strategy for the bomber aircraft fleet of the Air Force through fiscal year 2040. This report will update Congress on the status of B-52 modernization and future basing plans for the B-21.

Military Community

• Authorizes the creation of the Military-Civilian Medical Surge Program, which can leverage the new campus of LSU-Heath Shreveport to mobilize direct support to military medical treatment facilities and provide support to other requirements of the military health system.

Since his original appointment to the House Armed Services Committee in 2021, Speaker Johnson has secured:

• Nearly $787 million in military construction projects for the state of Louisiana.
• $377.7 million for Barksdale Air Force Base
• $311.8 million for Fort Polk
• $13.8 million for Camp Minden
• Over $4.1 billion for the Air Force B-52 program
• Over $3.6 billion for the Long Range Standoff Weapon program

In addition, this year’s NDAA:

• Advances the Trump Administration’s efforts to improve servicemember quality of life with a 3.8% pay increase and improved benefits for military families.
• Codifies President Trump’s work to end DEI and wokeness in the military and returns to a focus on the warrior ethos.
• Fully supports President Trump’s top priorities, including the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems.
• Advances President Trump’s agenda to revitalize American shipbuilding.
• Fully funds and provides additional authorities for the Department of War to support border security efforts.

FY26 NDAA Bill Text, HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

WASHINGTON—Today, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Jim McGovern (D-MA), released the following statement marking International Human Rights Day:

“On International Human Rights Day, we mark the 77th anniversary of the U.N. General Assembly’s proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the cornerstone of an international human rights system designed to prevent a repeat of the horrific crimes against humanity suffered during World War II. Its authors bridged differences of background and opinion to affirm that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ This universal principle is the foundation of human rights. But it is under threat, including from within our own government.

“Congress has led on human rights through legislation and policy. Part of this legacy is the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, which I am proud to co-chair. We have seen how people rely on international human rights law not as an abstraction, but as a tool to improve their lives. When foreign governments deflect criticism of their human rights records, we point to the shared standards set by the Universal Declaration and remind them of their obligations through their own commitments. China and Russia are among the governments threatening the international human rights system by twisting definitions to suit ideological ends and undermining multilateral institutions. Sadly, our own government is now following suit.

“The Trump administration is attacking this principle of universality by asserting a hierarchy of rights defined by a far-right ideology hostile to LGBTQ persons, migrants, and marginalized communities. They are institutionalizing such bias by creating offices in the State Department for ‘western values,’ ‘natural rights’ and ‘remigration.’ This is offensive.

“The Administration withdrew from the U.N. Human Rights Council, sanctioned officials of international courts, and slashed funding for human rights and pro-democracy programs. Make no mistake: these actions make Americans less safe. They reduce our capacity to respond to crises and mitigate risks to our national security. They diminish our moral credibility. America is best when we lead by example. But the increasing reports human rights violations by our own government—from attacks on freedom of expression to torture in detention centers to the extrajudicial killing of people on boats in the Caribbean—do the opposite. When we break the rules and shirk responsibility for the consequences, we set a terrible precedent and invite others do the same to Americans. Instead, we must seek the moral high ground.

“As we confront these threats, it is worth remembering that as chair of the drafting committee, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt infused the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the very best of our country’s values. The principles laid out by the Declaration are part of our legacy—and they are worth defending. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brian Babin (R-TX)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brian Babin, D.D.S. (TX-36) voted in favor of the Passage of S. 1071 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

“Today, I proudly voted YES on the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation delivers on President Trump and Republicans’ promise of Peace Through Strength by ensuring the U.S. military remains the most lethal and ready force in the world,” said Babin. “The NDAA revitalizes our defense industrial base, improves the quality of life for our servicemembers with a 4% pay raise, expands cutting-edge technologies, and restores merit-based promotions and admissions to our service academies. It also roots out woke ideology, counters antisemitism, and protects America’s economic and national security interests. From strengthening our nuclear deterrent and maritime capabilities to securing our southwest border, this bill equips our military to deter adversaries and protect our homeland. I’m proud to stand with President Trump and House Republicans in delivering this critical legislation to keep America strong and safe.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Today U.S. Representatives Don Beyer, Suhas Subramanyam, James Walkinshaw, Bobby Scott, Jennifer McClellan, and Eugene Vindman, Members of Congress representing Virginia, issued the following statement on Section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2026, which addresses “Manned Rotary Wing Aircraft Safety” in the wake of the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan National Airport that took 67 lives:

“We share serious concerns raised by the Families of Flight 5342 and the National Transportation Safety Board about Section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act related to safety in the airspace around National Airport following the tragic collision in January. We are deeply disappointed that this provision, which only applies to training flights, creates a waiver process to allow training flights in the region that further congest the airspace, an issue that contributed to January’s deadly crash.

“This provision falls short of NTSB’s preliminary safety recommendations and omits changes that are essential to improve visibility, safety, and communications between military and civilian aircraft in D.C. airspace. Further action is needed to prevent a repetition of the mistakes that led to this incident, and we will continue working with all possible speed on legislative solutions with our colleagues and transportation officials to get this right before any waivers are issued, and to ensure air safety in the region.”

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

Today, Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) announced legislation they co-led, the AI Training for National Security Act, has been included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA).

The AI Training for National Security Act requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to include information on the unique cybersecurity challenges created by artificial intelligence in its annual cybersecurity training for servicemembers and civilian employees.

“Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the national security threat landscape,” said Larsen, who previously served on the Armed Services Committee for 22 years. “This legislation ensures that DoD meets this moment and prepares our armed forces for today’s challenges and opportunities.”

“The rapid development of AI threatens to outpace our ability to counter cyber threats to our nation’s security,” said Rep. Elfreth. “Our national security leaders – many of whom fight these global threats from CYBERCOMM headquarters at Fort Meade here in Maryland – must maintain the education and expertise to utilize rapidly developing technologies. I’m grateful to work with Representative Larsen to develop an AI strategy for our servicemembers.”

The House of Representatives will vote on the FY26 NDAA later today.

The full text of the AI Training for National Security Act is available HERE.

Larsen Champions AI Education for Servicemembers

The AI Training for National Security Act builds on Larsen’s work to develop an AI education strategy for servicemembers.

In 2024, three provisions from Larsen’s Next Generation Military Education Act were included in the FY25 NDAA and became law. These provisions require:
– The DoD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer to provide an online AI education course;
– All military branches to participate in “Digital On-Demand,” the DoD’s initiative to accelerate AI knowledge; and
– The DoD to add an AI risks and threats section to its annual mandatory cybersecurity training.
The AI Training for National Security Act is the final remaining provision from the Next Generation Military Education Act that has yet to become law.

In 2019, Larsen successfully included a provision in the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act that required DoD to develop an AI education strategy. Larsen’s provision also required the underlying curriculum to include ethical issues, bias, and potential strengths and weaknesses of AI.

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

Larsen Releases Statement on Defense Policy Bill Vote

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus today supported the final 2026 National Defense Authorization Act following bipartisan, bicameral discussions that resulted in this compromise text.

“While the 2026 NDAA does not include everything I have supported, it does contain provisions of my RESTRAIN Act to block President Trump from reigniting an international arms race with his plans to resume nuclear testing, which would damage our environment and put Nevadans at risk for toxic radiation,” Congresswoman Titus said. “Trump’s plans would also give Russia and China an excuse to resume testing and ramp up their nuclear arsenals, weakening our nuclear deterrence and security.”

Congresswoman Titus also noted that the NDAA rebukes Trump by supporting European allies and strengthening US security initiatives in Europe and elsewhere: authorizing $400 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative; providing funding for the Baltic Security Initiative and Taiwan Security Initiative; instituting caps on the removal of troops from the U.S. European Command; and restricting the administration’s ability to recognize Russian sovereignty over internationally recognized Ukrainian territory.

“This sends a message that we will stand by our allies, not abandon them,”
the Congresswoman continued. “I am disappointed, however, that the NDAA does not provide adequate support for our diplomatic professionals who are ensuring peace through diplomacy.”

In addition, the bill makes important upgrades to troops’ well-being by including $1.5 billion for barracks, dormitories, and child development centers; authorizing a 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel; and expanding access to food on military installations for service members and their families. Moreover, most of the anti-LGBTQ provisions inserted by the Republican-controlled House were removed. “All of our soldiers should be treated equally,” the Congresswoman said.

Rep. Titus introduced several amendments to the bill that would prohibit the VA from requiring evidence of a certain dose of radiation to determine if a veteran is considered radiation-exposed for the purposes of “presumptive benefits,” authorize the Department of State to submit an Unfunded Priorities List to Congress as the DOD does, direct the Secretary of State to establish a Red Team Capability at the State Department to inform the Department’s crisis response and contingency planning, extend the waiver renewal period for the arms embargo on the Republic of Cyprus from one year to five years, and require certification that any arms sales to the Republic of Turkey will adversely impact Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge. Unfortunately, these were not included in the compromise bill.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today voted for the final compromise version of the $900 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that includes six of his amendments and various other requests for Hawai‘i and the broader Indo-Pacific, including $1 billion for military construction projects in Hawai‘i.

The annual measure, setting priorities, policy and funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) and other national security activities and programs for the year, also includes Case-requested provisions to increase funding and staffing for the United States Coast Guard and expand Coast Guard operations in the Indo-Pacific.

NDAA. The final version of the NDAA authorizes $900 billion to invest in our service members, their equipment and related infrastructure. The annual authorization is considered must-pass legislation, with Congress enacting one every year since fiscal 1962. It is separate from the regular annual appropriations bills that Congressman Case helps draft as a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; these bills actually direct funding using the NDAA as an authorizing framework.  

“Our National Defense Authorization Act is a critical annual measure that not only authorizes our defense spending for the year, supplementing my Appropriations Committee’s parallel funding responsibilities, but also establishes defense policies, including organization and administration of the Defense Department,” said Case, who serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, responsible for funding all defense and intelligence community programs, and previously served on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.  

“While the NDAA also addresses military readiness, the measure also supports several quality-of-life provisions that are critical to service members and their families,” said Case.

The bill includes language encouraging the Army to fully develop and communicate its plans for the leased lands at Pōhakuloa Training Area to all stakeholders. It encourages the Army to continue working with the State of Hawai‘i and Congress to ensure any appropriate legislative authority aligns with the value of land in Hawai‘i and meets the training needs of all the services. 

Given the positive economic impact from military construction in Hawai‘i, Case highlighted various military construction projects he supported that were included in the final version of the NDAA, including: 

·        $142 million to commence a multi-year project to build a water treatment plant at Red Hill that would allow the drinking water shaft to be reopened and help remove any residual contaminants from the ground surrounding Red Hill. Case has worked both through the authorization and appropriations bills to advance this critical project. 

·        $493 million of additional funding to continue construction a new drydock at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. This is a multi-billion dollar project requiring sustained funding over several years and is the largest current military construction project in the DOD today.

·        $66 million for airfield improvements at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. 

·        $147 million for Military Housing Privatization Initiative projects (460 units) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. 

·        $37 million for Water Reclamation Facility Compliance Upgrades at Marine Corp Base Hawai‘i. 

·        $49 million to replace the main gate at Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i.  

·        $83 million for DDG-1000 Ship Support Infrastructure Upgrades at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. 

·        $15 million to modernize the electrical distribution system at Marine Corp Base Hawai‘i.  

The bill includes several provisions Case proposed as amendments during the House’s consideration of the bill, including:  

·        Directing the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment and United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) to assess the critical civilian and military infrastructure investments needed in Hawai‘i for any potential conflict. 

·        Directing the Army to conduct a study and send Congress a report on options for expanding a reserve contracted wartime sealift capacity in the Indo-Pacific region. Hawai‘i is the home to the Army’s 8th Theater Support Command that is responsible for leading logistics and sustainment operations across the vast Indo-Pacific region, including ocean going transport. 

·        Directing the Government Accountability Office to examine how to improve the military’s foreign exchange programs, which are a key soft-power tool that strengthen the ties between America and other countries throughout the globe.

·        Directing USINDOPACOM to assess how to strengthen community relationships between the U.S. Armed Forces and Freely Associated States (FAS) citizens from the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia impacted by military installations and operating locations in the FAS. 

·        Preventing the Navy for from taking any action to disestablish the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Pacific located at Pearl Harbor, which had been proposed by the Trump administration. The provision would also require the Secretary to provide a briefing to Congress on: (1) the status of the decision of the Secretary with respect to the disestablishment of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Pacific; and (2) the strategic rationale, cost and benefits of such disestablishment. 

·        Directing the Navy, in coordination with USINDOPACOM, to assess the capacity of each U.S. public and private shipyard, and each foreign shipyard of an allied or partner country, to support battle damage repair in the event of an armed conflict in the Indo-Pacific. 

The bill further includes several provisions advocated for and supported by Case to continue the military’s investment in Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific, including:  

·        Prohibiting the DOD from carrying out a hiring freeze or reduction in force of certain public shipyard workers. 

·        Requiring the Secretary of the Navy to induct a class of not fewer than 100 apprentices at each of the Navy’s shipyards, including Pearl Harbor. 

·        Directing the military to provide a report to Congress assessing the feasibility of, and funding necessary to accelerate the development and deployment of the major elements and programs comprising the next-generation air and missile defense architecture, to include Hawai‘i.

·        Directing the military to brief Congress on the use and future potential of the Defense Access Roads Program in the Indo-Pacific region. Hawai‘i has previously used funding for this program to help improve Hawai‘i Route 200 on the Big Island. 

·        Providing $50 million for the purpose of aiding local educational agencies with military dependent students through the Impact Aid Program, and $20 million for local educational agencies eligible to receive payment for children with severe disabilities. The Impact Aid Program provides crucial federal funding to the Hawai‘i Department of Education by compensating for lost local property tax revenue due to the presence of U.S. military bases.  

·        Reaffirming support for the Pacific Deterrence initiative as a mechanism to strengthen U.S. posture in the Indo-Pacific reassure allies and partners and build readiness and operational capability in the region. 

·        Proving $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative designed to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities and resilience. 

·        Providing $1.4 billion for Pacific Deterrence Initiative related construction, including another $364 million for USINDOPACOM’s Military Construction Pilot Program to support minor construction projects across the Indo-Pacific. 

·        Directing the Air Force to submit a report to Congress on the potential value of ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft in the Indo-Pacific. The report will assess potential missions, users and non-military uses, such as humanitarian relief and wildfire suppression. 

·        Requiring the Air Force to incorporate depot-level maintenance in at least one multinational exercise conducted in the Indo-Pacific. 

·        Requiring the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with USINDOPACOM, to conduct a comprehensive joint mobilization and sustainment readiness study to assess the capability of the U.S. military to respond to a high-intensity conflict in the Indo-Pacific. 

·        Directing the military, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Transportation, to assess the feasibility and advisability of the United States removing oil from three World War II-era sunken Japanese oil tankers located in the waters near the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. 

·        Directing the executive branch to provide certain telehealth benefits and mail order pharmacy benefits to veterans in the FAS. 

·        Expanding eligibility for intergovernmental support agreements to include the State of Yap of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. 

·        Requiring the military, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to establish and maintain a security cooperation initiative to strengthen cooperation among the defense industrial bases of the United States and allied and partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.  

·        Requiring the Secretary of Defense to implement a strategy to strengthen multilateral deterrence against regional aggression in the Indo-Pacific by expanding multilateral coordination with United States allies and partners in the region.  

·        Authorizing the military to provide a living quarter allowance for DOD civilian employees with “permanent duty station” in Guam. 

The FY 2026 NDAA also makes the most substantive reforms to the defense acquisition process and system in decades. It seeks to reduce the complexity, cost and risk of doing business with U.S. military by establishing a new acquisition architecture based on five key pillars of reform:  

·        Aligning acquisition to service members’ priorities and operational outcomes,

·        Accelerating the requirements process,  

·        Finding a balance between the need for regulation and efficiency  

·        Strengthening the American industrial base and leveraging commercial innovation, and

·        Developing a mission-oriented acquisition workforce. 

The reforms arise in part from the work of the bipartisan House Defense Modernization Caucus, of which Case is a member.

Finally, the bill includes a 3.8% pay raise for members of the armed forces. It also includes the following provisions to help our nation’s service members: 

·        Increased oversight of food programs across the services and of the Basic Allowance for Subsistence to ensure funds are used to provide food for service members,

·        Requiring a pay and benefits education campaign for service members and their families,   

·        Expanding access to food on military installations by granting the Services authorities to conduct pilot programs to reform their food programs, and 

·        Requiring an analysis of alternative methods for calculating the Basic Allowance for Housing to better reflect market trends.  

USCG Authorization. Congress included USCG Authorization as a separate section of the NDAA. It authorizes $35 billion in appropriations for USCG for FY 2026 and 2027, an overall 25 percent increase from previous authorization levels. It also increases the number of authorized active-duty personnel by 18 percent.  

Also included was a provision from Case’s Pacific Ready Coast Guard Act that requires an annual plan and budget display for Coast Guard operations in the Pacific. (More information about this provision is available at https://tinyurl.com/CASEUSCG.) 

Other provisions relevant to Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific include: 

·        Creating a Special Advisor to the Commandant for Tribal and Native Hawaiian Affairs, along with an annual briefing to Congress on their activities.  

·        Allowing the USCG Commandant to provide federal financial assistance to Native Hawaiian organizations if certain natural or cultural resources are damaged by certain Coast Guard actions.  

·        Requiring a feasibility study on supporting additional USCG port visits and deployments in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. 

·        Requiring the Coast Guard to develop a plan to increase joint and integrated training opportunities for USCG and the Taiwan Coast Guard Administration.  

  ATTACHMENTS:  

·        A summary of the FY 2025 NDAA is available here. 

·        The text of the bill is available here.  

·        The explanatory committee report is available here.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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