Congressman Ellzey’s Statement on the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (SPEED Act and FY26 NDAA). This legislation underscores House Republicans' commitment to strengthening national security, enhancing military readiness, and ensuring our armed forces remain focused on mission success.

"The first responsibility of the federal government is to protect its citizens," said Ellzey. "The FY26 NDAA ensures our military remains the most modern and lethal fighting force in the world, capable of deterring any adversary. This legislation advances the President's Peace Through Strength agenda by revitalizing the defense industrial base, securing the border, and restoring the warrior ethos, while delivering for servicemembers and their families with a well-deserved pay raise and stronger quality of life."

As a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a member of its Board of Visitors, Rep Ellzey was grateful that his amendment to strengthen the admissions program at the Naval Academy passed the House with bipartisan support. His amendment ensures that currently serving Naval officers lead the process to select the next class of Navy and Marine Corps warfighters.

Key Provisions in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act:

• Secures the border: Deploys the National Guard, expands counter-narcotics missions, and boosts DoD support to DHS.
• Improves family life: 3.8% pay raise, better housing, stronger healthcare, and expanded childcare.
• Modernizes defense: Accelerates new weapons programs, AI, drones, missile defense, and nuclear deterrence.
• Strengthens deterrence: Fully funds nuclear modernization and space capabilities to outpace China and Russia.
• Ends divisive ideology: Eliminates DEI and CRT programs, restores merit-based promotions, and bans race-based admissions at service academies.

Building the Most Modern and Lethal Fighting Force in the World:

The FY26 NDAA equips America's military with the strength to deter any adversary:

• Ships: New submarines, destroyers, and a Ford-class aircraft carrier.
• Aircraft: Dozens of new F-35s and F-15EXs, plus next-gen F-47 and F/A-XX programs.
• Munitions: $15 billion for missiles, rockets, and artillery to rebuild the arsenal.
• Technology: $142 billion for hypersonics, AI, drones, quantum computing, and space systems.