“America’s security rests on the readiness and unmatched lethality of our military.”
Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), voted in favor of passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today. The bill includes numerous provisions to improve readiness and quality of life for our troops, increase funding for North Carolina military installations, deter China, and strengthen alliances abroad. The defense package is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Senator Budd issued the following statement upon final passage:
“America’s security rests on the readiness and unmatched lethality of our military. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to deliver a historic investment in our national defense that prioritizes peace through strength. This year’s NDAA puts our warfighters first by prioritizing new weapons and platforms, eliminates regulations and DEI initiatives that detract from combat training, and enacts new policies that remove enemy capabilities off the battlefield. The United States will continue to aid Taiwan in deterring the threat of Communist China and stand shoulder to shoulder with our ally Israel in bringing about a safer and more stable Middle East. Above all, this landmark legislation authorizes a generational investment in servicemember quality of life, ensuring our troops and their families in North Carolina have the necessary resources to accomplish their mission—at home and abroad.”
Below is a summary of provisions Senator Budd championed that were included as amendments to the FY26 NDAA and passed by Congress:
- Seized Iranian Arms Transfer Authorization (SEIZE) Act streamlines the process for taking ownership over confiscated Iranian weapons seized in transit to terror proxies like the Houthis in Yemen. Senator Budd’s amendment bypasses a potential year-long legal process for the distribution of captured Iranian weapons and equipment held by U.S. Central Command, allowing them to be sent to U.S. military partners around the globe.
- Streamlining Advanced Manufacturing Strategy Act brings greater alignment and increases efficiency to advanced manufacturing initiatives. Senator Budd’s amendment keeps American manufacturers ahead in the technological race and driving our economy forward.
- Lumbee Fairness Act puts the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina on the path to receiving full federal benefits they have long been unfairly denied.
- Comprehensive Operations for Unmanned-System Neutralization and Threat Elimination Response (COUNTER) Act enhances airspace security at military installations. Senator Budd is an original co-sponsor of the standalone legislation that was included as an amendment to neutralize unauthorized drones.
Boosting America’s Military Readiness & Supporting Military Families
This year’s NDAA represents an investment in America’s military personnel, a refocusing of the Pentagon’s priorities to boost troop readiness, and a needed reduction of bureaucratic red tape. Senator Budd championed several key priorities to improve the quality of life and the effectiveness of our troops by:
- Providing a 3.8% raise for all service members.
- Codifying President Trump’s efforts to end left-wing ideology, wokeism, and DEI in the military and restore focus on lethality, meritocracy, and accountability.
- Reducing barriers for fighter aircraft to use the Link-16 data network in training, which will increase readiness for potential high-end conflict.
Delivering for North Carolina Military Installations & Manufacturers
The FY 2026 NDAA authorizes more than $765 million for military construction projects and planning and design funding at facilities across North Carolina. Senator Budd successfully worked to include provisions to support the following facilities, programs, and units:
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
- Authorizing $40M in funding to boost the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center
- Authorizing $15M in funding to design the next phase of the Flightline Utilities Modernization project
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
- Authorizing $51.4M in funding for the expansion of the Special Operations Forces Combat Service Support/Motor Transport
- Authorizing $90M in funding to boost the Special Operations Forces Marine Raider Battalion Operations Facility
- Authorizing $48.28M in funding to improve Amphibious Combat Vehicle Shelters
Fort Bragg
- Authorizing $19M in funding to boost the Automated Infantry Platoon Battle Course
- Authorizing $24M in funding to complete the construction of the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar
- Authorizing $80M in funding to improve the Fort’s power generation and microgrid
- Authorizing $80M in funding for the Special Operations Forces Mission Command Center
- Authorizing $145M in funding for the Special Operations Forces Operational Ammunition Supply Point
- Authorizing $8M in funding for Special Operations Forces Joint Intelligence Center
- Authorizing $5M in funding for the Pathfinder Airborne Program to improve soldier readiness
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
- Authorizing $54M in funding to improve the Child Development Center
- Authorizing $41M in funding to expand the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance Complex
North Carolina National Guard
- Authorizing $69M in funding for the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition/Alteration project at Salisbury Training Center
North Carolina Manufacturers & Projects
- Authorizing $308M in funding to procure Infantry Squad Vehicles manufactured in Concord, which will support the Army Transformation Initiative
- Authorizing $4M in funding to procure rare earth magnets manufactured in Durham
- Authorizing $8M in funding to procure Army Load-Carrying Technology Advancements built in Concord
- Authorizing $5M in funding to expand the Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Hub, which Senator Budd has advocated for bringing to North Carolina
Deterring China & Standing with Our Allies
The core mission of America’s Armed Forces is to protect the United States and its citizens from threats and to defend our interests both at home and abroad. Senator Budd led the inclusion of several key priorities that will help our troops and our allies carry out this vital mission by:
Deterring Threats from China:
- Cutting bureaucratic red tape to permit fighter aircraft to use tactical datalinks needed for advanced air combat training, enhancing the preparation and readiness of 45 combat-coded fighter squadrons for high-end conflict
- Countering Wrongful Detention Act of 2025 provides the U.S. Government with additional tools to deter state and non-state actors from wrongfully detaining U.S. nationals for political leverage.
Supporting the U.S.-Israel Bilateral Relationship:
- Authorizing $80M in funding for U.S.-Israel Anti-Tunnel Cooperation and extending the program through December 2028
- Authorizing $70M in funding for U.S.-Israel Counter-UAS Cooperation and extending the program through December 2028
- Authorizing $100M in funding for the Arrow 3 Upper Tier Interceptor Program Co-Production
- Authorizing $40M in funding for Israel’s David’s Sling Short Range Rocket Defense System
- Authorizing $60M in funding for Iron Dome Short Range Rocket Defense System
- Directing a semi-annual assessment of Israel’s defense capabilities and the impact of current arms embargoes, sanctions, and restrictions by foreign countries and international organizations on Israel
- Directing a U.S.-Israel Defense Industrial Base Working Group to increase integration and interoperability of between the two national technology bases
Stabilizing the Middle East:
- Extending the authorization to provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)
- Repealing the 1991 & 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force Relating to Iraq
Standing with Taiwan:
- Enhancing the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative
- Directing a joint program with Taiwan to enable fielding of uncrewed systems and counter-uncrewed system capabilities
- Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2025 requires the Department of the Treasury to support Taiwan’s admission to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or participation in activities of the Fund before it becomes a member.
Streamlining Foreign Military Sales (FMS):
- AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025 increases flexibility in defense transfers between U.S., Australia, and the U.K.
- Requiring the Pentagon to establish a framework to improve processes and procedures for technology transfer and foreign disclosure policies
- Requiring the Pentagon to establish an office to facilitate foreign partners’ acquisition of equipment that is not a program of record for U.S. forces
- Expediting and improving transparency of international arms transfers by streamlining bureaucracy
- Requiring a bi-annual review of the FMS-only list with the intent to expand defense articles available for Direct Commercial Sales
###
