Cortez Masto Delivers for National Security, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, Secures Future Funding for Nevada Military Installations

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) advanced policies that will protect America's national security, secure funding to military installations across Nevada, and support Nevada's veterans and law enforcement officers. These victories were included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 (NDAA), which passed the Senate today and now heads to the President's desk for signature.

"As Nevada's voice in Congress, I have made it my mission to fight for the support and resources our brave service members need to keep us safe," said Senator Cortez Masto. "I'm proud to have secured critical funding and support for Nevada, while also leading the charge to stay ahead of our adversaries in the race to develop cutting-edge technologies like AI and semiconductors. I look forward to this bill being signed into law as soon as possible."

The FY26 NDAA includes provisions Senator Cortez Masto drafted to safeguard the United States' national security by prohibiting U.S. investment in certain technologies in China, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, and other foreign entities of concern. Prohibited technologies include advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, quantum computers, materials used in hypersonic systems, and other military technologies. This legislation was modeled after Cortez Masto's FIGHT China Act, which she introduced earlier this year alongside Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas).

Additionally, the bill includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for service members. It makes it easier for state veterans' departments to get in touch with service members leaving active-duty status about their benefits and requires the Secretary of Defense to hire more special education teachers at Department of Defense Education Activity schools. It also includes:

• Senator Cortez Masto's TIER Act to improve the Transition Assistance Program that helps service members as they transition out of active-duty and into the workforce.
• Senator Cortez Masto's bipartisanChief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to ensure families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits.

Cortez Masto also secured the following Nevada priorities in the NDAA:

• Funding and support for Nevada's military installations:
  • $47 million for updates at the Range Training Complex at Naval Air Station Fallon
  • Over $64 million for the Nevada National Security Site
  • The bill designates Creech Air Force Base as a remote or isolated installation, which increases funding available to support morale, welfare, and recreation services on base.
• Funding for Nevada's National Guard:
  • $8.6 million for new facilities at the Nevada Air National Guard
• A requirement that the Departments of Defense and Education provide an update on the progress that has been made implementing bipartisan legislation Cortez Masto passed to help qualified service members to access student loan forgiveness.
• A provision that directs the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to brief Congress on how technological advancements and ongoing initiatives will provide greater certainty on the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of our nuclear stockpile, which negates the need for explosive nuclear testing.

Senator Cortez Masto is a champion for our service members and veterans. Cortez Masto passed her Brian Neuman Act to remove roadblocks for disabled veterans accessing their benefits. She passed the PACT Act to ensure veterans suffering from toxic exposure in the line of duty get the medical care they need and worked across the aisle to get legislation helping veterans exposed to Agent Orange and expanding benefits for women veterans signed into law.

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