Congress Passes NDAA to Strengthen National Security & Boost RI Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today voted 77-20 to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (S.1071). The measure previously passed the full U.S. House of Representatives and now goes to the president's desk to be signed into law.

This year's NDAA authorizes $900.6 billion for both the military and the U.S. Department of Energy's nuclear weapons programs.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says the bill will strengthen and safeguard the nation, benefit U.S. troops and their families, improve the U.S. Department of Defense's (DOD) acquisition process, and boost Rhode Island's economy - bringing more good-paying jobs to the Ocean State.

"This bill strengthens military readiness, revitalizes our industrial base, and provides our troops with a pay raise and the tools to deter and defeat adversaries," said Senator Reeed. "The bill bolsters America's posture toward China, reinforces our support for NATO and Ukraine, and ensures sustained support for key partners around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Indeed, with strong bipartisan backing it firmly pushes back against the executive branch's retreat to uphold U.S. security commitments. And it positions the Department of Defense to adapt to evolving threats while maintaining robust Congressional oversight."

The NDAA enhances existing defense programs and improves pay and benefits for servicemembers -- including a 3.8 percent pay increase for all servicemembers. It includes major investments in science and technology to advance cutting-edge research and concrete support for key U.S. allies and partners, including Ukraine.

Senator Reed stated: "This NDAA is the result of a bipartisan and bicameral compromise. It isn't perfect, but it makes a lot of needed improvements that will help strengthen America's economic, industrial, and military might. It invests in our servicemembers by increasing their pay and it protects civilian DOD employees too. It includes major quality of life enhancements in areas like childcare, housing, education, and more. The acquisition reforms will help speed the development and fielding of new systems and technology to our forces on the front lines. And it authorizes critical investments in technology and advanced weapons systems; strengthens our cyber capabilities and defenses; and bolsters innovative research and development efforts."

Significantly, the bipartisan bill reaffirms America's global leadership by extending the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and authorizing additional security assistance to European partners. It strengthens our alliances in Asia by authorizing full funding the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and bolsters activities relating to the security partnership among Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States, known as AUKUS. Importantly, the bill seeks to guard against reckless reductions in U.S. force posture in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

To improve congressional oversight of the Pentagon, the NDAA compels the Secretary of Defense to follow the law and submit to Congress a number of reports he has deliberately withheld. Specifically, the bill cuts off portions of the Secretary of Defense's budget until he submits the execute orders and unedited videos of the boat strikes related to ongoing operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The bill asserts congressional authority over several other areas in which the Secretary has been negligent.

Notably, this year's NDAA would repeal the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) that was adopted in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq but subsequently used to underpin a host of military actions worldwide since 2002.

Rhode Island defense workers, contractors, and suppliers would benefit from shipbuilding funds to build the Columbia-class submarine and Virginia-class submarine. Thousands of Rhode Islanders make critical contributions to designing, engineering, and building these next generation submarines, which are made by General Dynamics Electric Boat.

"The NDAA authorizes a $1.9 billion boost for the Virginia-class submarine program to ensure a two-per-year build rate. It also includes incremental funding authority for the Columbia-class submarine program to keep construction on track," said Senator Reed. "And to strengthen our industrial base and boost wages for welders and shipyard workers at Quonset Point and Groton, Connecticut, and other places that help build submarines, it includes $615 million to help provide higher wages and workforce stability initiatives."

In April, the U.S. Navy signed an $18.4 billion contract awarded to General Dynamics Electric Boat for production of two new Virginia-class fast attack submarines.

Hundreds of small businesses across Rhode Island supply the U.S. Department of Defense, and hardworking Rhode Islanders contribute to the creation of a wide range of military products, equipment, and services. Additionally, Rhode Island is home to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport; Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport; and the Naval War College. These facilities, along with leading academic research institutions and a network of suppliers and small businesses, contribute to a defense industry that is boosting Rhode Island's economy and leading to advancements in technology and innovation.

A report by the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) shows that the total direct and indirect economic impact from defense spending in Rhode Island accounted for $7.6 billion in 2022. The report found that Rhode Island's defense industry is growing and supported a total of 34,068 direct and indirect jobs across the Ocean State with an annual payroll of $3 billion.

Other initiatives that benefit Rhode Island include authorizations of:

• $71.8 million for Navy applied research on undersea warfare technologies, led by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC);
• $20 million for the Defense Established Programs to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR), which ensures Rhode Island universities may compete to perform cutting-edge basic research and partner with defense labs;
• $50 million in supplemental Impact Aid and $20 million in Impact Aid for schools with military dependent children with severe disabilities; and
• $190 million for Military Construction funding for four projects at NUWC Newport:
  • $40 million for Consolidated RDT&E Systems Facility;
  • $73 million for Next Generation Secure Submarine Platform Facility;
  • $40 million for Submarine Payload Integration Laboratory; and
  • $37 million for Next Generation Torpedo Integration Lab.

The bill previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a vote of 312-112. President Trump is expected to sign the bill into law.

While the NDAA authorizes federal funding, Congress must also appropriate spending through a separate Defense Appropriations bill. Senator Reed is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on defense.

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