Annual Defense Bill with Gallego-Backed Provisions Passes the Senate

Gallego Also Blasts Trump's Usage of the National Guard

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes key national security provisions that Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) led on and supported.

"The passage of this bipartisan NDAA is good news for Arizona and our national security," said Senator Gallego. "I helped secure critical wins for Arizona so that we remain a critical hub for the U.S. military, from providing critical resources to Davis-Monthan and Ft. Huachuca bases to supporting our military families. I also am proud to have led on amendments to modernize our defense capabilities by implementing AI to combat transnational crime and by deploying microreactors to guarantee energy resilience for our military bases."

"The fact that Trump needs to project strength by sending the National Guard to blue states across America shows you how weak of a leader he is," the Senator added about his vote supporting Senator Van Hollen's amendment. "The best way to improve public safety is to actually fund local police departments to help them do their job instead of using service members as political pawns."

Key measures that Senator Gallego led on that are included in the NDAA:

• Implement AI into anti-money laundering investigation: Requires a report on the feasibility of implementing AI into anti-money laundering investigations related to activity by foreign terrorist organizations, drug cartels, and other transnational criminal organizations.
• Microreactors at Military Installations: Directs the Department of Defense to establish a pilot program for deploying microreactors at U.S. military installations to strengthen energy resilience and reduce reliance on vulnerable civilian grids.

Other provisions that Senator Gallego supported that are included in the NDAA:

• ROAD to Housing Act: Senator Gallego helped shape this bipartisan legislationas a member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee.
• Protect the Baltic Security Initiative: Senator Gallego is a longtime supporter of our allies in the Baltics, and he recently led his colleagues in condemning the Trump administration's decision to terminate the BSI and Section 333 funding.

Senator Gallego also supported Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in securing the following Arizona and national security priorities:

• Prevent cuts to the Electronic Proving Ground at Ft. Huachuca and other electronic warfare test and evaluation sites;
• Continue construction at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base to support the new flying missions coming to the base;
• Fund infrastructure upgrades at other Arizona installations;
• Maintain U.S. troop levels in South Korea and Europe to deter our adversaries;
• Provide greater oversight of the military mission at the southern border; and
• Increase force readiness and recruitment.

Click HERE for a breakdown of the provisions.

October 10, 2025