Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 out of the Committee.

 "Today, I am proud to advance this year's America First defense bill that responsibly and rightfully strengthens our military in the face of the rapidly evolving threats posed by our adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This bill will lead the charge in reforming our broken acquisition system, revitalizing our defense industrial base, and further increasing the readiness, capabilities, and lethality of our fighting force,” said Chairwoman Stefanik.

“As the leading champion for Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division, I am pleased to announce that I led the charge on authorizing more than $22 million in additional funding to New York’s 21st District to protect and strengthen the Fort Drum community, support our troops, increase our military readiness, and assist the families of servicemembers. I am proud to support President Trump’s mission of America First Peace Through Strength. The United States must remain the global leader in maintaining a strong national defense and delivering on our promises to our troops by providing a well-deserved pay raise to the brave men and women in uniform as they work to keep us safe.”

The FY26 NDAA authorizes defense spending in line with President Trump’s budget request, investing $892.6 billion to strengthen national security. In addition to the NDAA authorization, the One Big, Beautiful Bill included $150 billion in mandatory defense funding, bringing the total funding available to the Department of Defense to more than $1 trillion, an increase of nearly 14% from FY25.

The House version of the NDAA will be brought to the House Floor for a full House debate and passage.

Stefanik secured numerous provisions to support Fort Drum, the 10th Mountain Division, military families, our national defense, and our partners and allies, including the following:

Strengthening Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division

1. Directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services on the development of next generation weapon systems in line with President Trump’s Army modernization efforts. 
2. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to the congressional defense committees on its efforts to promote missile defense systems.
3. Provides funding for multi-domain joint operations in support of Fort Drum’s selection to host the U.S. Army’s 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF).
4. Requires the Secretary of the Army to establish a plan to diversify counter-unmanned aircraft systems so our forces are better protected from various drone attacks.

Fighting for Wins for Upstate New York and the North Country

1. Authorizes $10 million in funding for Rome Labs – Rome’s annual Future Flag testing and evaluation exercise, conducted in Lewis, NY. 
2. Authorizes $5 million in funding for Army Research Lab’s Future Flag Program conducted in Lewis, NY. 
3. Authorizes $2.5 million in funding for photonic Quantum Computing for Rome Labs. 
4. Authorizes the Department of Defense to evaluate, approve, develop, and deploy Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) to Department of Defense facilities and assets in the United States, including those in NY-21.
5. Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a report on the use of rare earth magnets in the Department of Defense and recognizes the importance of establishing a reliable domestic supply chain for rare earth permanent magnets, some of which are procured in NY-21.
6. Directs the Department of Defense to provide a report on the progress made in developing domestic production capabilities for aluminum-lithium alloys which are manufactured in Massena. 
7. Secures robust funding for DoD Impact Aid schools for Fort Drum families and other military personnel families.

Supporting Our Servicemembers and Their Families 

1. The FY26 NDAA supports the Trump Administration’s budget request for a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers and improves housing, education, and access to childcare for military families.
2. Includes a provision to reduce challenges military families encounter when relocating across state lines, especially in terms of school enrollment, credit transfers, academic continuity, and access to special education services.
3. Delivers $77 million for Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026 to benefit the operation of the Armed Forces Retirement Home. 
4. Requests a pilot program on child care worker compensation to improve quality and affordability for military families.
5. Requires a report detailing current regulations on cell phone usage in the Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) that operates K-12 schools on military bases to evaluate the harmful effects of screen time on students.

Supporting Our Ally Israel

1. Requests the Secretary of Defense submit a report on the current status, condition, and adequacy of the War Reserves Stockpile for our ally Israel (WRSA-I) 
2. Modifies and extends the United States-Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation through 2028 and authorizes an additional $50 million toward the cooperation.
3. Modifies and extends the United States-Israel Cooperation to Counter Unmanned Systems (C-UAS) in all warfighting domains and authorizes an additional $70 million toward the cooperation.
4. Authorizes a total of $300 million toward United States-Israel cooperative programs.
5. Establishes an emerging technology cooperation program with Israel and certain partner countries, led by the Irregular Warfare Technology Support Directorate of the Department of Defense, to conduct joint research, development, test, and evaluation in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum, and automation.

Confronting the CCP and Foreign Adversaries

1. Prohibits defense companies from contracting with the Department of Defense if they work with Chinese military companies or their subsidiaries.
2. Establishes post-employment restrictions for individuals involved in certain Department of Defense (DoD) research projects.
3. Increases funding cap for Indo-Pacific military construction (MILCON) projects by $10 million.
4. Clarifies that projects to remove Communist Chinese port crane hardware and software are eligible for grant funding.
5. Directs a briefing on plans to enhance warfighting readiness across United States air assets to better prepare U.S. forces for the threats, distances, and geography that will cause challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

 Keeping Pace with Emerging Technologies in the 21st Century

1. Funds next-gen weapons, AI, hypersonics, and unmanned systems to ensure America stays ahead of China, Russia, and any adversarial threat.
2. Encourages U.S. Special Operations Command to utilize secure radios that are low-cost, size, and weight to ensure critical communications are viable in austere, off-the-grid environments globally.
3. Requires Chinese Communist drone companies to be added to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Covered List to protect national security.
4. Implements mandatory key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating civilian and military personnel in the defense workplace much like the civilian sector.
5. Authorizes the Department of Defense (DoD) to stand up at least two additional OnRamp Hubs through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in fiscal year 2026, lowering barriers for nontraditional innovators and talent to work with DoD.

Strengthening National Defense 

1. Modifies contractor performance information requirements to establish an objective, fact-based, and simplified system for reporting DoD contractor performance.
2. Increases appropriations to advance the development of high-altitude precision effects glide munitions.
3. Authorizes the Golden Dome for America by requiring annual reports and consolidated budget exhibits for activities related to the next generation missile defense architecture.
4. Authorizes robust funding for the Missile Defense Agency.
5. Authorizes robust funding for critical missile defense projects that are imperative to our national security.
6. Reforms acquisition, cuts red tape, and improves Congressional oversight, streamlining operations and improving efficiency for taxpayers.

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