Nunn Secures Major Wins for National Security in FY27 Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 , including eight provisions led by Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) to strengthen America's military, counter growing threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), support servicemembers and veterans, and reinforce Iowa's critical role in the nation's defense industrial base.

"America's security is never guaranteed. It's earned by staying ahead of our adversaries and standing behind the men and women who defend us," said Rep. Nunn . "As a twenty-year combat veteran and current Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, I will never waver in my commitment to keeping our military the strongest in the world. This year's NDAA sharpens our ability to deter the Chinese Communist Party, accelerates the development of next-generation defense technologies, and invests in Iowa's defense industrial base and the Iowa Air National Guard. These provisions strengthen our national security, support our servicemembers and veterans, and ensure that when we ask Americans to defend this country, they go in with every advantage we can give them."

Rep. Nunn successfully led eight amendments, which passed unanimously and are included in the FY27 NDAA, that will strengthen America's national security in the following ways:

Supporting America's Servicemembers and Veterans

Strengthening America's Defense Industrial Base

• Maximizes Underutilized Air National Guard Airfields : Supported by the entire Iowa congressional delegation, this Rep. Nunn-led measure directs the Air Force to identify Air National Guard bases such as the 132nd Wing in Des Moines that are well-positioned to host next-generation manned military aircraft, improving force readiness while optimizing existing military infrastructure.

• Unlocks Private Investment for Defense Manufacturing : This bipartisan measure directs the Department of Defense to identify ways to better leverage private-sector capital and small business investment to strengthen America's defense industrial base and expand critical manufacturing capacity.

• Accelerates Hypersonic Weapons Development : This bipartisan provision invests in advanced manufacturing capabilities to expedite the development and production of next-generation hypersonic weapons, ensuring the United States maintains its technological edge over our adversaries.

Countering the Chinese Communist Party and Strengthening America's Allies

• Bolsters U.S. and Allied Readiness in the Pacific : This bipartisan provision expands the Pentagon's annual assessments of Taiwan's military readiness, allied response planning, and U.S. contingency preparations, reinforcing deterrence and readiness in the Taiwan Strait.

• Advances Joint U.S.-Taiwan Drone Development : Developed after Rep. Nunn's meeting with Taiwan's President Lai during a spring congressional delegation , this bipartisan provision accelerates joint development of next-generation unmanned systems to counter China's rapidly advancing military capabilities.

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