Barrett Aviation Safety Legislation, Other Key Priorities Move Closer To Becoming Law

Washington, D.C. - Tonight, the House of Representatives passed S. 1071, the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bipartisan defense package includes Congressman Tom Barrett's (MI-07) Military Helicopter Training Safety Act (H.R. 1898), as well as provisions he fought for and secured to support the fighter jet mission at Michigan's Selfridge Air National Guard Base and repeal outdated combat authorizations.

"This year's defense bill is personal for me. Not only does it finally end the military authorization for the Iraq War nearly 18 years after I deployed there, but it brings my first bill one step away from being signed into law," said Barrett. "This marks the first time in more than 50 years that Congress has repealed a battlefield combat authorization. I'm also proud to have my provisions included to make our skies safer for everyone who flies and deliver critical support for the fighter mission at Selfridge, all while guaranteeing our troops receive the compensation and resources they need to keep America safe. This is a strong piece of legislation that the Senate can and should send to President Trump's desk immediately."

BACKGROUND
The annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes spending and sets policy for the Department of Defense. The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026 (S. 1071), which the House approved today, authorizes more than $900 billion in defense spending and includes the three major policy wins for Barrett listed below.

Aviation Safety:
Barrett introduced the Military Helicopter Training Safety Act (H.R. 1898) in March following the January crash between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter in Washington, D.C. that claimed 67 lives. This legislation included in the NDAA will require the Department of Defense to report on the feasibility of adding TCAS and other technology in military helicopters to help prevent future crashes. The report will be due 180 days after the president signs the NDAA into law, and Congress and the administration can then begin implementing the technology based on the report's findings.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Military Helicopter Training Safety Act and HERE for a letter he wrote to his colleagues, urging them to include the helicopter safety bill in the final NDAA. The bill is Sec. 1066 of the NDAA.

Selfridge Air National Guard Base:
This legislation also includes a provision Barrett secured to support and protect the A-10 Warthog fighter jet squadron at Michigan's Selfridge Air National Guard Base during the transition to newer fighter jets.

Earlier this year, President Trump announced that Selfridge would be getting a new squadron of F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets to replace the base's current A-10 fighters, which the Air Force is planning to retire. However, the new F-15EXs will not be ready for a few years, and the NDAA will help maintain the current squadron during the transition to retain critical personnel and mission readiness at the base.

This fall, Barrett wrote a letter with members of the Michigan congressional delegation and other colleagues, urging negotiators to protect the outgoing A-10s in the final NDAA.

Repealing Authorization For Endless Wars:
Barrett also called for and helped secure the repeal of the 1991 and 2002 authorizations for use of military force (AUMFs) that have been in place since the Gulf and Iraq wars. With this provision, Barrett voted to end the very same conflict in which he was deployed in 2008. He has been a constant advocate for repealing these outdated authorizations and led a bipartisan letter with 34 of his colleagues on November 6 advocating for these repeals to be included in the NDAA.

CLICK HERE to read the full text of the NDAA.

###