U.S. Senate Passes 2026 National Defense Authorization Act That Provides Crucial Support For North Carolina Installations
Last night, the United States Senate passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization (NDAA) in a 77-20 bipartisan vote, this bill provides substantial support for the military families and facilities located in North Carolina. The legislation how heads to the United States House of Representatives for consideration.
Defense is the second economic sector in North Carolina. According to the N.C. Military Affairs Commission, North Carolina is hope to the fourth largest military population, and the defense industry contributes $66 billion annually to the state’s economy. The annual appropriation from Congress has a direct impact of North Carolina families across the state.
Senator Ted Budd said in a statement upon final passage: “North Carolina has long stood at the forefront of America’s military strength, and I was proud to deliver key victories for our state and our nation in the FY 2026 NDAA that will further empower our servicemembers and strengthen our forces both at home and abroad. Last night, the Senate passed this historic defense package that enhances military facilities, reinforces air superiority, cuts burdensome regulations, combats terrorism, and ends discriminatory affirmative action policies at our service academies. America’s strength rests on the unmatched lethality of its armed forces, and this year’s NDAA reaffirms that commitment by advancing our military’s readiness to confront any threat and its resolve to defend the cause of freedom against any adversary.”
Here are some of the top issues addressed in the bill:
Providing a 3.8% raise across the board for service members.
Creating a pilot program to improve Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for North Carolina service members and their families.
Prohibiting affirmative action in U.S. Service Academies admissions.
Cutting burdensome environmental regulations that prohibit the Defense Department from procuring basic items.
Accelerating the development, prototyping, and deployment of mobile nuclear microreactor systems to enhance energy resilience and forward-deployed power capability for U.S. military operations.
The 2026 NDAA authorizes over $700 million for military construction projects across North Carolina. Here are some of the highlights:
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Authorizing $40M in funding to boost the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center
Authorizing $15M in funding to design the next phase of the Flightline Utilities Modernization project
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Authorizing $34M in funding for the expansion of the Special Operations Forces Combat Service Support/Motor Transport
Authorizing $90M in funding to boost the Special Operations Forces Marine Raider Battalion Operations Facility
Authorizing $48.28M in funding to boost Amphibious Combat Vehicle Shelters
Fort Bragg
Authorizing $19M in funding to boost the Automated Infantry Platoon Battle Course
Authorizing $24M in funding to complete the construction of the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar
Authorizing $80M in funding to improve the Fort’s power generation and microgrid
Authorizing $32M in funding for the Special Operations Forces Mission Command Center
Authorizing $80M in funding to boost the Special Operations Forces Operational Ammunition Supply Point
Authorizing $5M in funding for the Pathfinder Airborne Program to improve soldier readiness
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
Authorizing $54M in funding to improve the Child Development Center
Authorizing $41M in funding to boost the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance Complex
North Carolina National Guard
Authorizing $69M in funding for the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition/Alteration project at Salisbury Training Center
North Carolina Manufacturers & Projects
Authorizing $34M in funding to procure Infantry Squad Vehicles manufactured in Concord, which will support the Army Transformation Initiative
Authorizing $4M in funding to procure rare earth magnets manufactured in Durham
Authorizing $8M in funding to procure Army Load-Carrying Technology Advancements built in Concord
Authorizing $5M in funding to expand the Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Hub, which Senator Budd has advocated for bringing to North Carolina
Here are some of the important issues that this bill addresses to strengthen America’s allies and deter potential adversaries.
Protecting Our Homeland:
Requiring a plan to ensure installation commanders have adequate guidance and authority to interdict hostile or suspicious drone activity with force immediately.
Directing the Secretary of the Army to diversify and expand the Army’s counter-drone capabilities to protect bases and installations at home and abroad.
Deterring Threats from China:
Cutting bureaucratic red tape to permit fighter aircraft to use tactical datalinks needed for advanced air combat training, enhancing the preparation and readiness of 45 combat-coded fighter squadrons for high-end conflict.
Directing a report on the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) operation, ownership, or control of strategic foreign ports and Department of Defense efforts to counter or mitigate the national security threats posed by PRC control of such foreign ports.
Supporting the U.S.-Israel Bilateral Relationship & Countering Terrorism in the Middle East:
Authorizing $80M in funding for U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation and extending the program through December 2028.
Authorizing $75M in funding for U.S.-Israel counter-UAS Cooperation and extending the program through December 2028.
Authorizing $15M in funding for US-Israel Joint Research & Development on Emerging Technologies.
Extending the authorization to provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Directing DoD to provide a briefing on the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund, status of equipment delivery to Kurdish Peshmerga Forces, and plans to improve the Kurdish Peshmerga Forces’ ability to conduct counter terrorism operations.
