Senate Passes FY26 NDAA, Advances Strategic Wins for North Dakota, National Security

Defense bill boosts readiness and modernization, locks in wins for North Dakota's military communities

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following negotiations between House and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) members, the Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 77 to 20. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly last week by a vote of 312 to 112 and now advances to the White House to be signed into law.

The NDAA returns the U.S. Department of War to its first Constitutional duty to protect the American people by securing the southern border, reforming the Pentagon's budgeting and acquisition processes to better facilitate innovation, and focusing on a peace through strength approach.

Chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) said the annual defense authorization bill not only invests in national security, but it improves North Dakota's defense capabilities and ecosystem.

"We're confronting some of the most consequential national security challenges, I believe, since World War II," said Cramer. "It's unbelievable aggression from our adversaries, a rapidly changing global security landscape, for sure, and the need to rebuild our arsenal of democracy after decades of basically retreating from modernization. This NDAA really makes one thing unmistakably clear: the United States will deter our adversaries, and we will defend our freedoms."

"For North Dakota, the legislation delivers big because, of course, North Dakota delivers big for national defense," continued Cramer. "It upgrades the early warning radar at Cavalier Space Force Station, it invests heavily in Grand Forks Air Force Base's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, and really important here, it funds Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a big part of modernization, now these are all missions that are operated right out of Grand Forks. It also advances what's really the number one priority, it advances the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program. It's a cornerstone of our nuclear deterrence strategy and has been for decades. Finally, it directs the Secretary of War to provide a plan on establishing a combat status identifier or equivalent for our Remote Piloted Aircraft crews operating in Fargo. This is something I've been working on for a long time. Really, at every turn, this legislation prioritizes modernization, it recognizes that those Remotely Piloted Aircraft are being piloted by people, it provides innovation, and American strength. Without it, we risk losing our edge, and that's happening quickly. Our adversaries are modernizing very fast. With this legislation, we do put the safety and security of the American people first."

The NDAA incorporates the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, authored by Cramer and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), which provides support for families of first responders who die from service-related cancers caused by exposure to carcinogens, ensuring their sacrifice is recognized and honored.

Through his role on SASC, Cramer secured funding authorization and policy language supporting several North Dakota-based missions to strengthen national security. The FY26 NDAA will authorize the following projects across the state:

Cavalier Space Force Station (SFS)

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"Well, Cavalier is a very special asset in North Dakota and in our country," said Cramer. "By mandating modernization of that very old PARCS radar at Cavalier, the National Defense Authorization Act really advances President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense framework, and it sharpens America's edge against today's threats. It delivers the legislative backing that's needed to push the missile defense network into its next generation, and we badly need it."

This year's bill provides $22 million to upgrade the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) at Cavalier SFS. The system, which tracks more than half of all objects orbiting the Earth, will see enhanced capabilities in detecting intercontinental and sea-launched missile threats, as well as improved space domain awareness. Cavalier SFS will be central to President Donald Trump's Golden Dome missile defense shield, which aims to expand U.S. missile defense across all domains-protecting the homeland against ballistic, cruise, hypersonic missile, and drone threats.

Cramer and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the bicameralGOLDEN DOME Act. The bill works together with President Donald Trump's executive order on deploying a next-generation missile defense shield, ensuring the United States has the tools it urgently needs to defend against emerging missile threats.

Grand Forks

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"We all know, don't we, that Grand Forks Air Force Base is way more than just a base," said Cramer. "It's really a hub for America's global mission. The RQ-4 Global Hawks - and their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities - keeps our nation secure and it keeps our reach unmatched really. This year's National Defense Authorization Act ensures these missions stay strong, keeping North Dakota at the heart of our nation's strategic and technological excellence."

The legislation delivers major investments in Grand Forks Air Force Base's (GFAFB) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The bill ensures the base can maintain inventory requirements for its RQ-4 Global Hawks, a critical component of the U.S. Air Force's ISR operations.

Among the provisions, the bill allocates $10 million for the development of corrosion-resistant coatings produced by Technology Applications Group (TAG) in Grand Forks. TAG, a leader in magnesium surface protection and the inventor of the Tagnite anodize coating, will enhance the durability and longevity of key aircraft systems.

The NDAA also designates $500 million for Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Cramer recently visited Vandenberg Space Force Base with Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink, observing 21 satellites from SDA's Tranche 1 ahead of their launch, underscoring North Dakota's growing role in the nation's cutting-edge space defense efforts.

Minot

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"The Minot Air Force Base is really a symbol of North Dakota's unmatched role in national defense," said Cramer. "As the only base to host two of the three legs of the nuclear triad, the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles and the majestic B-52 bombers, it really stands as a powerful reminder to the nation, and to the world, especially to our adversaries, of America's deterrent might. The National Defense Authorization Act supports long-range and land-based nuclear capabilities while also driving the modernization of our nuclear arsenal to safeguard our nation not just for the time being, but for many generations."

The FY26 NDAA secures $3.8 billion to advance the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, a cornerstone of the nation's nuclear deterrence strategy. The Sentinel ICBM will replace the aging Minuteman III missiles, which have faithfully served for more than 50 years, ensuring that the United States maintains a modern and reliable nuclear arsenal. This funding builds on the $2.5 billion investment included in the budget reconciliation bill, signed into law on July 4, highlighting Congress' bipartisan commitment to maintaining America's strategic edge.

The NDAA also mandates a minimum ICBM count of 400, reinforcing the nation's capability to deter nuclear aggression and protect the homeland. Beyond nuclear modernization, the legislation encourages the U.S. Air Force to establish wing-level additive manufacturing facilities. These state-of-the-art facilities will support both conventional and nuclear long-range strike platforms, improving readiness while reducing repair costs and turnaround times, a key step in maintaining a nimble and technologically advanced force.

Together, these measures position the United States to stay ahead of emerging threats, modernize its strategic deterrent, and ensure the men and women defending the nation have the tools and infrastructure they need to succeed.

Fargo

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"Well, what could I say about the pride of Fargo? The Happy Hooligans are a shining example of American strength and ingenuity," said Cramer. "The Reapers flying out of Fargo don't just fly exceptionally well, they do that for sure, but they also deliver lethal attacks against enemy targets with great precision. The missions of the MQ-9s protect our homeland, support our allies across the globe, they provide incredible ISR, they demonstrate the precision, the skill, and dedication of all our armed forces. The airmen of the 119^th operate on the front lines of modern warfare, and now their service is being properly acknowledged and supported."

The North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing, nicknamed the "Happy Hooligans," plays a central role in the state's growing mission in remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations. These airmen conduct critical missions in support of combat operations, providing real-time intelligence and precision capability to strengthen U.S. forces at home and abroad.

The FY26 NDAA includes report language, based on an amendment introduced by Cramer and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV). It directs the Secretary of War to provide a briefing to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives no later than June 1, detailing the Department's plan to establish a status identifier or equivalent recognition for such personnel, including a plan to communicate this information to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

North Dakota National Guard

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"The men and women of North Dakota's National Guard are the finest defenders of our state and frankly, for the nation," said Cramer. "They are well known across the country and certainly in the Pentagon for their expertise and their incredible productivity. The NDAA supports the Jamestown National Guard Armory specifically, which makes sure our guardsmen there are ready, they'retrained, they're prepared for every mission, whether at home or across the world."

The legislation sets aside $5.2 million to plan and design a new Armory in Jamestown, a project the NDNG identified as a top priority.