Tony Gonzales
12/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/12/2025 12:08
Rep. Tony Gonzales Priorities in Military Quality of Life, Defense Package To Become Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. -Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted to pass the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The FY26 NDAA is a must-pass, yearly policy package that outlines the funding provisions for our nation's defense priorities and military quality of life initiatives.
"As a 20-year Navy veteran, taking care of the men and women in our armed services is a top priority for me. Our servicemembers' quality of life goes hand in hand with military readiness," said Congressman Tony Gonzales. "In the NDAA, I worked to ensure the Pentagon implements a pay increase for military families who qualify for the Family Separation Allowance and that conditions at military housing, dining, and medical facilities across our services are evaluated and improved. This bill will soon be heading to the President's desk to be signed into law-this is a win for our national security priorities and a win for our troops."
Priorities for TX-23 Military Entities Secured and Passed by Congressman Gonzales:
- A permanent NSA Texas in San Antonio
- New Basic Military Training classrooms and a dining facility at JBSA-Lackland
- A new C-5M age maintenance facility at JBSA-Lackland that will support the Air Force Reserve
- Funding for the design of the Army Reserve Center Building at Camp Bullis
Servicemember Quality of Life Initiatives Passed by Congressman Gonzales:
Pay & Allowances:
- 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers
- Mandates an increase in the Family Separation Allowance pay
- Requires a study to improve the calculation of Basic Allowance for Housing to ensure it keeps up with rising rental costs
Health Care & Leave:
- Prevents reductions in uninformed healthcare personnel to ensure Military Treatment Facility staffing
- Increases access to specialty care by lowering the threshold for travel reimbursement for medical appointments from 100 miles to 75
Child Care:
- Extends the Child Care in Your Home Pilot Program through December 31, 2029. This program provides financial assistance to military families to help cover the cost of in-home childcare when on-base options are unavailable or insufficient
- Requires an annual review of childcare financial assistance to ensure it maintains pace with growing childcare costs
Mental Health:
- Expands mental health services tailored to meet the needs of the Cyber Mission Force
- Requires a DoD assessment of mental health staffing levels, appointment wait times, telehealth availability, and improvement plan
Post-Military Occupation Preparedness:
- Allows retiring servicemembers to immediately move into careers in the defense industrial base and medical profession
- Establishes a pilot program for spouses to ensure a comprehensive transition for military families
Key Priorities in the FY26 NDAA Advanced by Congressman Gonzales:
- Fully funds and provides additional authorities to DoD to support DHS border security efforts
- Authorizes funding for the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems
- Authorizes funds and creates new authorities to support the defense industrial base, grow defense manufacturing jobs in America, and onshore defense supply chains
- Includes new authorities and funding to support efforts to prepare our military for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific
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