Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Pass FY26 National Defense Authorization Act

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted today to pass the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA), landmark legislation that authorizes $892.6 billion for national defense programs, reforms the Pentagon, and delivers critical wins for servicemembers, military families, and American security.

"This is not just another bill, it is the backbone of America's security," said Congressman Harrigan. "It tells China, Russia, Iran, and every adversary watching that the United States will not back down, will not slow down, and will never hand over its future to those who want to see us weakened. It invests in the most lethal fighting force on Earth, supports the families who sacrifice alongside our troops, and ensures that when America fights, America wins."

Congressman Harrigan successfully secured 17 of his 18 amendments in the final bill, including provisions to boost U.S. drone production, strengthen special operations forces, protect servicemembers from waste, fraud, and abuse inside the Department of Defense, and kick CCP-owned companies off U.S. military bases.

Key Highlights of the FY26 NDAA:

• Troop Pay & Benefits - Provides a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers, expands housing and food allowances, improves military healthcare access, and invests over $1.4 billion in new barracks and family housing.
• Border Security - Fully funds deployment of National Guard and active-duty troops to support Border Patrol, authorizes over $900 million to counter drug trafficking, and strengthens DoD support for securing the southwest border.
• Acquisition Reform - Enacts the SPEED Act to slash red tape and cut acquisition timelines from years to months, ensuring warfighters get advanced technologies faster and at lower cost.
• Industrial Base & Jobs - Revitalizes U.S. defense manufacturing, expands surge capacity, and invests in American-made drones, ships, submarines, and aircraft.
• Cutting Waste - Saves taxpayers over $20 billion through reforms, including eliminating Pentagon DEI programs, cutting climate change mandates, and retiring obsolete weapons systems.
• Standing with Allies - Fully funds U.S.-Israel security cooperation, strengthens Indo-Pacific deterrence, and requires allies to pay more for their own defense.

The FY26 NDAA now heads to the Senate for consideration, where swift passage is needed to deliver critical resources for troops, secure the border, and strengthen America's defense.