Fedorchak votes to boost military pay, fund Sentinel program at Minot Air Force Base

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) voted in support of H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026, which passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 221-209.

"This bill delivers on peace through strength by funding cutting-edge defense systems, investing in modernization efforts, and boosting pay for every service member," Fedorchak said. "It also funds the Sentinel missile system, which is critical to Minot Air Force Base and America's strategic deterrence. North Dakota plays a vital role in keeping our nation safe, and this bill builds on investments in the One Big Beautiful Bill to strengthen our military."

Key elements include:

• $189 billion for military personnel, including a 3.8% pay raise for all troops and continued historic increases for junior enlisted service members.

• $283 billion for operations and maintenance to enhance readiness and sustain mission capabilities.

• $174 billion for procurement of next-generation aircraft, ships, and weapon systems.

• $148 billion for research and development, including hypersonics, space superiority, and 6th-generation fighters.

• $40.9 billion for the Defense Health Program, including full funding for private sector care and military medical research.

Key provisions include:

• Supporting the modernization of the nuclear triad: the B-21 Raider, the Columbia Class Submarine, and Sentinel.

• Targeting resources for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), uncrewed maritime platforms, and land-based counter-unmanned aerial systems

• Allocating approximately $13 billion for missile defense and space programs to augment and integrate in support of the Golden Dome effort.

• Enhancing investments in 5th and 6th generation aircraft including the F-35, F-47, and F/A-XX.

• Investing in national security space, including proliferated missile warning, missile tracking satellite, and next generation intelligence collection systems to ensure national leaders have real-time global situational awareness.

• Reversing the "divest to invest" trend by preserving F-15s and U-2s while investing in next-generation fighters and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.

• Continuing historic pay increases enacted in Fiscal Year 2025 for junior enlisted service members.

• Improving quality of life, readiness, and continuity for service members by slowing permanent change of station moves, saving over $662 million.

• Reducing $6.5 billion and almost 45,000 civilian full-time equivalents to capture Workforce Acceleration and Recapitalization Initiative efforts.

• Codifying the Department's cooperation with DOGE and other streamlined functions and management improvements at the Pentagon.

• Providing $1.15 billion for counter drug programs and increasing funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Program.

• Transferring Mexico from U.S. Northern Command's jurisdiction to U.S. Southern Command for better coordination and prioritization.

• Prohibiting funds for divisive programs including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, Critical Race Theory, federal government censorship, sex-change surgeries, abortion-related travel, drag queen shows, and COVID vaccine and mask mandates.

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