Amo Secures Wins for Rhode Island in Annual Defense Bill, Despite Legislation Falling Short in Maintaining Bipartisanship

WASHINGTON, DC - TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) secured the passage of two bills through the House in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congressman Amo's bills, the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) Improvement Act andthe Promoting Diplomacy with Australia Act would strengthen our national security and diplomatic relations with long-time allies while supporting trade collaboration for Rhode Island businesses.

However, due to the inclusion of language that does not reflect the longstanding tradition of protecting our national defense in a nonpartisan manner, Congressman Amo voted against the NDAA.

"This year's National Defense Authorization Act missed the mark by including partisan provisions, though it included important wins for Rhode Island," said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). "I am glad that my bills to strengthen our alliances and uplift Rhode Island manufacturing were included, and I welcome the pay raise for troops, increased access to child care, and plans to improve facilities at Naval Station Newport. But we can and must do better to live up to our values and I look forward to improving the process of authorizing our defense and diplomatic enterprise, so it works for all Rhode Islanders in coming years."

Among the other wins, this year's legislation increases oversight by restricting funding for the Secretary of Defense's travel until the full, unredacted videos of all strikes that have occurred in Latin America are given to the full Congress, strengthens our support of democracy by continuing our support for Ukraine and Taiwan, and authorizes $20 billion in shipbuilding funding.

However, the NDAA included problematic provisions the Congressman could not support including expanding the Department of Defense's ability to support Customs and Border Patrol in immigration crackdowns and failing to restore collective bargaining rights for the Department of Defense's civilian workforce, among others.

Background

Congressman Amo secured the inclusion of two pieces of legislation in the 2026 NDAA.

In August 2025, Amo introduced H.R. 5013, the bipartisan, bicameral AUKUS Improvement Act. The legislation will make it easier for manufacturers to collaborate on defense production with our allies in the AUKUS tripartite agreement. Rhode Island's First Congressional District is home to numerous manufacturers producing defense materials for the AUKUS partnership, including submarines and autonomous naval vessels.

Amo introduced H.R. 6123, the Promoting Diplomacy with Australia Act, in November 2025. The legislation would require reporting to ensure American diplomats in Australia have the resources they need to promote American political, economic, and national security interests.

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