Congressman Fong Secures Critical Wins for California’s 20th District in FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) voted to pass the final version of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA) (S. 1071), which would deliver vital resources to our local military installations, their personnel, and surrounding communities. This legislation, which authorizes $901 billion for national defense programs, includes a series of provisions offered by Congressman Fong, as well as authorizations for major military construction projects at NAS Lemoore and NAWS China Lake that were included at Congressman Fong's request.

"I was honored to vote for this vital legislation that supports America's national defense and secures critical wins for our irreplaceable local military installations," said Congressman Fong (CA-20). "The provisions I fought for will ensure our servicemembers and their civilian counterparts have the resources, facilities, and support they need to successfully carry out their missions to protect our nation. By investing in NAS Lemoore, NAWS China Lake, Edwards Air Force Base, the Fresno Air National Guard Base, and the dedicated workforce that powers them, we are strengthening America's military readiness while standing firmly behind our local military communities and the families who serve alongside them."

Both Kings County and China Lake Alliance provided letters of support for key provisions secured by Congressman Fong in the FY26 NDAA.

"I want to thank Congressman Fong for his leadership on the NDAA and for securing critical funding for NAS Lemoore," said Doug Verboon, Chairman of the Kings County Board of Supervisors. "The new Strike Fighter Center of Excellence and the F-35 maintenance hangar are major investments in our local economy, our military workforce, and the families who call Kings County home. These projects reinforce the vital role NAS Lemoore plays in our nation's defense, and we appreciate the congressman's continued commitment to supporting our community."

"The investment in a new child development center at NAWS China Lake reflects a growing recognition - at both congressional and DOW levels - that "people infrastructure" (child care, family support, housing, etc.) is as critical to mission success as traditional physical infrastructure (hangars, runways, maintenance facilities) and continues to greatly improve the quality of life for both the military and civilian personnel that reside in the community," said Stephen Farmer, Executive Director of the China Lake Alliance.

Nearly $98 million secured by Congressman Fong for major military construction projects:

• At Congressman Fong's request, S. 1071 authorizes nearly $98 million in funding for three major Navy construction projects to modernize facilities and support military families.
• Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore
  • $55.542 million - Construction of the Strike Fighter Center of Excellence, providing cutting-edge training facilities for Navy personnel to safely handle and load ordinance on Strike Fighter aircraft.
  • $33.49 million - Planning and design for a new F-35 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, improving operational efficiency and maintenance capacity for the F-35 program.
• Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake
  • $8.9 million - Planning and design for a new Child Development Center, replacing an outdated facility and providing Navy families with a safer, modern space to meet growing childcare needs.
  • With these projects funded at Rep. Fong's request in the FY2026 Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Leg. Branch, MCVA and Extensions Act (Public Law 119-37),this is the final Congressional action needed to advance.

Provisions Included to Strengthen Defense Readiness and Support Servicemembers

• Section 1065: Extending Review of the Air Force Test Center (AFTC)
  • This amendment extends biennial assessments of the Air Force Test Center through 2028 and 2030.
  • The AFTC, headquartered at Edwards Air Force Base, oversees critical operations at Arnold AFB, Eglin AFB, and Edwards AFB.
  • These reviews ensure the AFTC mission remains strong and that challenges are addressed promptly.
  • Rep. Fong offered this provision as an amendmentto the House version of the FY26 NDAA.
• Joint Explanatory Statement Language: Improving Health Care Access for Navy Personnel at NAWS China Lake
  • This language directs the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Navy Secretary, to assess the adequacy of the healthcare services available to the military and civilian personnel, including their dependents, at NAWS China Lake and brief the House and Senate Armed Services Committees no later than April 1, 2026, on the findings. The assessment will consider the challenges faced by Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, a review of the healthcare offerings supported by Ridgecrest Regional Hospital and other civilian healthcare facilities available to Navy personnel, and civilian authorities that can be leveraged to support access to healthcare, among other things.
  • This assessment ensures that senior Department of Defense officials and the House and Senate Armed Services Committee have the background necessary to prioritize the healthcare needs of servicemembers and civilian workforce at NAWS China Lake.
  • Rep. Fong offered the underlying text for this provision as an amendmentto the House-version of the FY26 NDAA. The final language is the product of negotiations between and the House and Senate.
• Joint Explanatory Statement Language: Strengthening Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD)
  • This language recognizes the important role of NAWCWD in advancing naval weapons systems and directs the Navy Secretary to brief the congressional defense committees by June 1, 2026, on current infrastructure conditions and the necessary requirements to support NAWCWD's mission, current challenges to performing its mission, and recommendations to ensure long-term readiness, among other things.
  • Rep. Fong offered the underlying text for this provision as an amendmentto the House-version of the FY26 NDAA. The final language is the product of negotiations between and the House and Senate.

The FY26 NDAA authorizes $901 billion for national defense discretionary programs, with key highlights including:

• Enhances quality of life for service members and their families by including a 3.8% pay raise and expanding access to key benefits and support programs.
• Provides more than $1 billion to counter drug trafficking and fully funds the deployment of National Guard and active-duty personnel assisting Border Patrol operations along the southwest border.
• Fundamentally reforms defense acquisition by eliminating burdensome red tape.
• Achieves nearly $20 billion in taxpayer savings through cost-efficient program adjustments and reforms in the FY26 authorization.
• Authorizes over $335 million to upgrade military hospitals and construct new medical facilities to improve access to care.
• Allocates more than $491 million for the construction of modern childcare centers on military installations.
• Provides over $206 million to build new schools for children of service members, improving educational environments on bases.
• Allows retiring servicemembers to immediately move into careers in the defense industrial base and medical profession.
• Expands authorities and increases funding for efforts to locate, identify, and return the remains of American POW/MIA service members.
• Establishes a new Rapid Capabilities Program within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to enhance the nuclear enterprise's ability to respond to growing nuclear threats from China and Russia.

On Background

California's 20th District is home to some of our nation's most important defense installations such as NAS Lemoore, NAWS China Lake, Edwards Air Force Base, and the Fresno Air National Guard Base. The inclusion of these provisions in the FY2026 NDAA underscores the district's central role in maintaining U.S. military readiness.