Murkowski: NDAA Strengthens National Defense By Investing in Alaska

Murkowski: NDAA Strengthens National Defense By Investing in Alaska

Washington, DC - Yesterday evening, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 77-20. This year's NDAA authorizes $925.8 billion for U.S. defense and national security programs.

The FY26 NDAA provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel, expands investment in military construction, supports state-of-the-art defense technologies, and strengthens America's alliances abroad, all while delivering meaningful wins for Alaska's defense infrastructure.

NDAA FY26 Highlights for Alaska

Investing in Alaska's Military Infrastructure

The NDAA authorizes critical new military construction (MILCON) projects across Alaska that will strengthen readiness, enhance quality of life, and support ongoing missions in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific.

• Eielson Air Force Base: Base Civil Engineer Pavements & Ground Facility; Coal Thaw Shed Addition; Consolidated Munitions Complex; and the JPARC Operations Facility.

• Fort Wainwright: New barracks and dining facility to improve quality of life for soldiers.

• Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER): Base Supply Complex, Joint Integrated Test and Training Center (JITTC), and Maintenance Facility.

Also included was a Senator Murkowski amendment that will expand the Defense Community Infrastructure Program to allow demolition projects as eligible for assistance, ensuring that communities supporting nearby military installations can modernize obsolete structures.

Supporting Alaska's Servicemembers and Their Families

Our servicemembers and their families sacrifice so much to defend our nation, and Senator Murkowski has always prioritized that Congress provide the support they need to execute their mission and provide for their loved ones. To that end, this legislation provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for our military personnel.

The legislation also provides for:

• Flyback Program for Unaccompanied Members: Directs the Department of Defense to establish a government-funded travel program allowing unaccompanied servicemembers stationed overseas to return home for leave. An important quality-of-life measure to support morale, Senator Murkowski has long been a champion of this program for those serving in Alaska, first introducing it through her Arctic Warrior Act in 2022. She is committed to exploring new and innovative initiatives to support our servicemembers mental health and help combat suicide.

• Improving Access to Training and Education: The bill modifies payment requirements for the Department of Defense's Regional Centers for Security Studies, including the Ted Stevens Center at JBER in Alaska, to expand participation from allied nations, enhancing joint training opportunities.

• Cold Weather Gear Modernization: Authorizes $11.2 million for the Comprehensive Protective Cold Weather Layering System, ensuring that troops operating in Alaska and other extreme environments are properly equipped for their missions.

• Fire Suppression and Safety: Provides $5 million for aerial fire suppression capabilities to bolster emergency response and protect installations across Alaska. The materials can also be used to help fight wildfires throughout the state.

• Nuclear Micro-Reactor Development: Authorizes $5 million to advance the Nuclear Mobile Micro-Reactor Program, promoting energy resilience and operational flexibility for remote bases.

Expanding America's Defense Capabilities

The FY26 NDAA invests in the next generation of defense technology and national security innovation while investing in our allies to keep Americans safe at home and abroad.

• Adds nuclear fission and fusion energy to the list of "covered technologies" for defense innovation programs-an effort Murkowski has long championed as part of her commitment to clean, advanced energy.

• Authorizes a comprehensive study on future U.S. space launch capacity, including infrastructure, long-term viability, and potential for heavy and super-heavy launch operations. This study recognizes Alaska's growing potential role as a leader in national space defense initiatives.

• Supports the Golden Dome missile defense program and allocates up to $200 million to strengthen Israel's missile defense capabilities.

• Authorizes $500 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and extends it through 2028, underscoring our commitment to global security.

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