HYDE-SMITH WELCOMES SENATE PASSAGE OF 2026 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL WITH FUNDING FOR MISS.

HYDE-SMITH WELCOMES SENATE PASSAGE OF 2026 DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL WITH FUNDING FOR MISS.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed Senate passage of the FY2026 Defense Appropriations Bill, which includes funding she worked to secure to support national security activities conducted in Mississippi.

Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the bill supports President Trump's Peace Through Strength agenda with increased funding for U.S. Department of Defense activities, support for service members and their families, and fortifying the defense industrial base.

"President Trump demands that national security be laser-focused on just that, national security. The Senate defense funding bill provides strong support for a mission that is focused on facing down known, new, and yet-to-be-revealed threats to our country," Hyde-Smith said. "Mississippi plays an important role in this defense mission. As such, it includes significant funding for national security work performed by industries and our universities in our state."

Senate approval of FY2026 Defense Appropriations Bill (71-29) clears it to be returned to the House of Representatives as part of a five-bill package (HR.7148) for final passage. From there, it would be sent to President Trump to be signed into law.

For Mississippi, the following are among the highlights in the Senate FY2026 Defense Appropriations Bill:

Shipbuilding: $27.15 billion, a $6.3 billion increase, which includes funding for DDG-51 Destroyers, two Virginia-class fast attack submarines, one Columbia-Class ballistic missile submarine, and $1.5 billion for the maritime industrial base, which is critical to maintaining U.S. maritime advantage. The bill also includes increased funding for Special Operations vessels built on the Gulf Coast.

Research, Development, and Innovation: Mississippi is at the forefront of innovation and national security, with its universities and companies playing a pivotal role in research and development for the Department of Defense. From the shipyards of the Gulf Coast to advanced research facilities in North Mississippi, the Magnolia State is at the forefront of cutting-edge defense innovation. The bill includes funding to support research and development activities conducted at the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Jackson State University.

Taking Care of Service Members and their Families: $193.1 billion for the pay and benefits of service members and families, which fully funds both the 3.8 percent pay raise for all service members and the 10 percent additional pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers. The bill also provides $24 million to support the work of the United Service Organizations (USO).

National Guard: $800 million for the National Guard and Reserve modernization fund to address capability gaps and equipment shortfalls and increase the state partnership program. The bill also provides an increase for Armed Forces Trauma training to enable guardsmen and women to be ready at a moment's notice. The measure also provides funding for Multi-Domain Operation training for guardsmen and women so they can train like they fight.

National Guard Counter-Drug School: $30 million for National Guard Counter-Drug School activities. Mississippi has one of the five National Guard Counter Drug Schoolhouses.

With the passage of HR.7148, the Senate will have approved 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, a stark departure from the refusal of former Democratic leaders to bring annual appropriations bills to the Senate floor in the previous Congresses.

###