Stefanik Advances Historic Wins for Fort Drum, Rome Labs, Upstate New York, the North Country, and America in the FY27 National Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted to advance the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 out of Committee.

"Today, as a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I was proud to help lead and shape this year's national defense bill to strengthen our military in the face of rapidly evolving threats. This legislation restores peace through strength by rebuilding our defense industrial base, modernizing our military acquisition system, accelerating emerging technologies, and increasing the readiness and lethality of America's fighting force," said Chairwoman Stefanik.

"As the leading advocate for Fort Drum, the 10th Mountain Division, Rome Labs, and Upstate New York, I am proud to announce that I secured critical provisions and funding priorities that will strengthen our national security, support military families, expand cutting-edge defense innovation, and reinforce New York's 21st Congressional District as a cornerstone of America's defense and technological superiority. These provisions directly support President Trump's America First national security agenda and ensure the United States remains the strongest military power in the world."

The FY27 NDAA authorizes $1.15 trillion in investment in national defense modernization, emerging technologies, military readiness, missile defense, and servicemember quality of life - areas that I have led on throughout my tenure in Congress.

The House version of the NDAA will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.

Chairwoman Stefanik secured numerous provisions to support Fort Drum, the 10th Mountain Division, Rome Labs, Upstate New York, military families, America's defense industrial base, and our strategic allies, including the following:

Strengthening Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division

• Directs the Secretary of the Army, in coordination with the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division, to provide a briefing to the House Committee on Armed Services regarding next-generation weapons systems and Army modernization efforts.
• Supports continued multi-domain operational modernization and experimentation activities benefiting Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division.
• Requires the Secretary of the Army to establish a plan to diversify counter-unmanned aircraft systems to better protect American forces from evolving drone threats.
• Supports operational experimentation and advanced lethality modernization initiatives benefiting close combat formations.
• Supports continued investments in multi-domain operational readiness and contested environment modernization.

Delivering Major Wins for Rome Labs, Upstate New York, and the North Country

• Secured more than $38 million in committee-approved funding and authorizations supporting quantum computing, quantum networking, defense innovation, operational experimentation, and next-generation military technologies.
• Secured $10 million to support quantum entanglement distribution research, advancing next-generation secure military communications and resilient networking capabilities.
• Secured $10 million to demonstrate a Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Quantum System, strengthening America's ability to operate in contested environments where GPS may be degraded or denied.
• Secured $5 million for Ion-Trap Quantum Computer research supporting next-generation Air Force applications and operational capabilities.
• Secured $3 million to expand Defense Innovation Unit ONRAMP activities that accelerate the transition of innovative technologies from startups and nontraditional defense contractors to warfighters.
• Authorizes $2.5 million for the Future Flag Operational Experimentation Testbed supporting Air Force Research Laboratory Rome and operational experimentation activities conducted in Lewis, New York.
• Authorizes $2.5 million for Photonic Quantum Computing research and operational transition activities associated with Air Force Research Laboratory Rome.
• Authorizes $2.5 million for Distributed Quantum Networking Testbed and Quantum Cloud Computing Environment activities supporting secure military communications and operational resilience.
• Authorizes $2.5 million for Autonomous Battle Management Across the Full Spectrum of Conflict (ABaMASC) supporting next-generation operational command and control capabilities.
• Supports continued Air Force Research Laboratory quantum modernization initiatives and operational experimentation efforts.
• Supports advanced LiDAR-enabled Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) technologies to improve force protection against emerging drone threats.
• Directs the Department of Defense to provide a report on the use of rare earth magnets and recognizes the importance of establishing a secure domestic supply chain for critical materials and permanent magnets.
• Directs the Department of Defense to provide a report regarding domestic production capabilities for aluminum-lithium alloys manufactured in Massena, New York.
• Supports strengthening the Northeast defense innovation ecosystem and opportunities for nontraditional defense contractors.
• Supports expansion of quantum networking, artificial intelligence, operational experimentation, and defense innovation partnerships across New York's 21st District.

Supporting Military Families and Servicemembers

• Supports the largest pay raise and compensation improvements for servicemembers and their families, strengthening recruitment, retention, and military readiness.
• Includes provisions to reduce challenges military families encounter when relocating across state lines, particularly regarding school enrollment, credit transfers, academic continuity, and access to special education services.
• Supports Department of Defense Impact Aid programs that help school districts serving Fort Drum military families meet the unique needs of military-connected students.
• Requests a pilot program focused on improving childcare workforce compensation and expanding access to affordable, high-quality childcare for military families.
• Requires a report evaluating Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) policies regarding student cell phone usage and screen time impacts to support student achievement and well-being.
• Strengthens military housing oversight and quality-of-life initiatives to improve living conditions for servicemembers and their families.
• Expands support for spouse employment, educational opportunities, and family readiness programs that help military families thrive while serving our nation.

Supporting America's Ally Israel

• Requests a report on the current status, condition, and adequacy of the War Reserves Stockpile for Allies-Israel (WRSA-I) to ensure critical readiness and deterrence capabilities.
• Modifies and extends the United States-Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation Program through 2028 to strengthen joint efforts against terrorist tunnel networks.
• Modifies and extends United States-Israel Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UAS) cooperation authorities to improve defenses against evolving drone threats.
• Authorizes robust funding for United States-Israel cooperative missile defense and security programs, reinforcing America's commitment to Israel's security.
• Establishes expanded emerging technology cooperation initiatives with Israel focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, quantum technologies, automation, and other critical defense capabilities.
• Strengthens bilateral defense research, development, testing, and evaluation efforts to accelerate innovation and maintain our shared technological edge.
• Reinforces the strategic partnership between the United States and Israel in the face of growing threats from Iran and its terrorist proxies.

Confronting Communist China and Foreign Adversaries

• Prohibits defense companies from contracting with the Department of Defense if they work with Chinese military companies or their subsidiaries.
• Secured inclusion of the Trucking Security and CCP Disclosure Act, requiring motor carriers transporting Department of Defense freight to certify that they are not owned, controlled by, or maintaining significant business relationships with Chinese military companies identified under the Department of Defense's Section 1260H list.
• Establishes a Secure Defense Freight Carrier Registry to strengthen national security vetting of motor carriers handling Department of Defense freight and help prevent adversary-linked entities from accessing sensitive military supply chains.
• Establishes additional safeguards involving Department of Defense research and post-employment restrictions.
• Clarifies that projects removing Communist Chinese port crane hardware and software remain eligible for federal grant funding.
• Supports efforts to strengthen domestic critical mineral, semiconductor, microelectronics, and rare earth supply chains.
• Supports strengthening America's strategic position in the Indo-Pacific and confronting Chinese military aggression.

Keeping Pace with Emerging Technologies in the 21st Century

• Supports accelerated modernization of artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, autonomous systems, and advanced operational experimentation.
• Encourages expanded use of secure communications technologies supporting Special Operations Forces and contested environment operations.
• Supports continued modernization of defense software acquisition and emerging technology procurement.
• Authorizes the Department of Defense to expand Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) activities to strengthen innovation partnerships and accelerate operational technology transition.
• Supports operational experimentation involving advanced autonomous systems, AI-enabled battle management, and secure quantum communications.

Strengthening America's National Defense

• Supports acquisition reform initiatives to reduce bureaucracy, accelerate modernization, and improve efficiency for taxpayers.
• Supports continued investments in missile defense modernization and next-generation air and missile defense architecture.
• Authorizes robust investments supporting force readiness, operational modernization, and advanced military technologies.
• Supports efforts to strengthen America's defense industrial base and secure critical supply chains.
• Advances policies designed to ensure the United States maintains military superiority against adversarial threats.

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