Schmidt Highlights Wins in Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) today highlighted wins he secured for Kansas and for military families in H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery(SPEED) and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026(NDAA).

The legislation passed the House Armed Services Committee by a vote of 55-2. It is expected to receive a vote in the full House in September.

"The FY 2026 NDAA strengthens our military while supporting quality of life and protecting vital assets in our Second Congressional District," Congressman Schmidt said. "I've worked closely with military leadership for months to ensure our servicemembers, their families, and our military interests in Kansas benefit from our committee's work to strengthen America's national defense. I'm proud of the legislation we produced, and I look forward to voting for it on the House floor."

Congressman Schmidt secured numerous provisions in the bill that passed committee, including:

• Protection against downsizing of Department of Defense (DoD) medical facilities in Kansas and across the country, including Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley;
• Preservation of the National Simulation Center at Fort Leavenworth;
• Establishment of a pilot program to evaluate the efficacy of experimental burn and blast treatments for wounded personnel;
• Prohibition of bans on fossil fuels and plastic bags at DoD facilities to ensure optimal services are available;
• Increased restroom facility access for DoD-contracted truck and transportation drivers;
• Encouragement to identify and develop expanded training and maneuver space for Army drone programs, and;
• Formation of a new DoD program to streamline the application process for small businesses interested in contracting with the U.S. Military.

Additional provisions supported by Rep. Schmidt in the bill include:

• Institution of a 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel;
• Preventing deactivation of Army Reserve helicopter units, including the Aviation Support Facility at New Century;
• Prevention of the cancellation of the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail aircraft acquisition, protecting Kansas jobs;
• Streamlined credentialing of military healthcare professionals;
• Increased access to school-transition information for military families prior to relocation; and
• Improved retention of quality Army and Air Force National Guard officers by eliminating a penalty for breaks in service.

BACKGROUND

The Second District of Kansas is home to numerous military interests including the U.S. Army's 1^st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Center and 35^th Infantry Division at Fort Leavenworth, the 190^th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Field in Topeka, and both the Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Air National Guard Headquarters with authority over nearly 7,000 Kansas soldiers and airmen. Congressman Schmidt sought and obtained a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, the first held by a Kansas representative since 2008.

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