Congressman Robert Aderholt Applauds Passage of FY26 National Defense Authorization Act

Washington, DC - Today, H.R. 3838 - Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, passed through the House of Representatives. Included in this legislation is Rep. Aderholt's DUAL (Defense United Access to Learning) Act and a proposal to support America's domestic textile industry.

The FY26 NDAA boosts advanced capabilities and equipment delivery, ensuring our warfighters receive critical equipment in months rather than years.

"I would like to thank fellow Alabamian, House Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, for spearheading legislation that secures our borders, streamlines procurement and delivery of military equipment, and implements President Trump's peace through strength agenda," said Congressman Aderholt.

This past June, Rep. Aderholt introduced the DUAL Act, a bill that allows the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) to partner with accredited colleges and universities to offer dual enrollment programs for high school students in military families, similar to what is already available to public school students in most states.

The DUAL Act opens the door for thousands of students living on military bases, both in the U.S. and overseas, to earn college credit while completing high school. Importantly, the bill requires no new funding; it simply authorizes DODEA to use existing Department of Defense funds for this purpose. It is designed to enhance college readiness, remove financial barriers, and strengthen the academic competitiveness of Department of Defense dependents - finally putting them on an equal footing with their civilian counterparts.

"House passage of the FY26 NDAA is a critical step towards codifying the DUAL Act, and in turn, removes an unnecessary barrier and allows DODEA to invest in the future of its students, without increasing federal spending," said Congressman Aderholt. "Military families make tremendous sacrifices for our country, and their children deserve the same educational opportunities that are available to other students nationwide."

"It's a commonsense fix that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of military families," Aderholt added.

In addition, Congressman Aderholt's Amendment #0668 is designed the U.S. domestic textile industry and the Department of Defense's reported shortfalls. This initiative is informed by the long history of Alabama's textile industry, specifically in Alabama's 4^th Congressional District where local manufacturers have supplied materials that support our nation's defense and commercial sectors for generations.

This amendment takes a simple but important step by directing the Department of Defense to look more closely at domestic textile procurement for the American textile industry to play a larger role in meeting our defense needs here at home. It's a common-sense measure that ultimately would strengthen our national security and support American jobs.

"At a time when national security demands are growing, it is necessary to examine how we can once again rely on our own manufacturers for critical defense-related textile production," said Congressman Aderholt.