"Together, These Measures Strengthen Our Forces and Reaffirm Our Commitment to the Men and Women in Uniform."

Provisions Boost Readiness, Counter Adversaries and Protect Servicemembers

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, announced that four of his proposals were included in the final version of this year's National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill now goes to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.

"This year's NDAA reflects President Trump's 'Peace Through Strength' agenda by ensuring America's military remains the most lethal, capable fighting force in the world," said Buchanan. "I'm proud that several of my proposals, each focused on readiness, accountability and supporting our servicemembers, were included in the final package. Together, these measures strengthen our forces and reaffirm our commitment to the men and women in uniform."

The four Buchanan proposals in the House-passed FY26 NDAA include:

• The Protecting Animals in Military Training Act to end the use of animals in live-fire trauma training. The military will instead use advanced simulators, mannequins, cadavers or actors to prepare servicemembers for combat emergencies.
• A provision expressing concern over the fact that China and other countries of concern are developing dual-use strategic technologies from U.S. capital, which is then benefiting adversaries' military modernization efforts, surveillance states and human rights abuses. Buchanan's provision calls on the president to use all necessary means to restrict certain U.S. outbound investments in these technologies in countries of concern.
• A requirement for the Secretary of Defense to submit a report to Congress and make publicly available all detection and mitigation activities conducted to counter unmanned aircraft systems.
• A requirement for the Secretary of Defense to list all critical defense infrastructure that relies on foreign materials or components and ways to replace the procurement and production of those materials (including gaps in manufacturing capabilities).

In January 2025, Buchanan had his Honoring Our Heroes with Dignity Act (H.R. 10301) and eight of his legislative proposals signed into law. These proposals, which enhanced military readiness and expanded health care options for servicemembers, were included in the final version of the FY25 NDAA.