Congressman Pat Harrigan Releases Statement After HASC Markup of FY26 NDAA
Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) released the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee advanced the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) late last night, following an overnight markup and consideration of more than 700 amendments to strengthen U.S. military readiness and confront global threats:
“This bill puts the warfighter first. It rebuilds our combat edge, breaks acquisition logjams, and sends a clear message to our enemies: America is back,” said Congressman Harrigan. “I was proud to fight for amendments that cut out Chinese influence, expand drone and nuclear innovation, and bring real capability to the battlefield. We don’t have the luxury of time—our adversaries are moving fast, and we need to be faster. This bill drives American innovation, strengthens deterrence, and prepares our forces for the fight we hope never comes but must be ready for if it does.”
The FY26 NDAA:
- Counters China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea with forward posture and advanced capabilities
- Reforms the Pentagon’s broken acquisition process through the bipartisan SPEED Act
- Invests in next-gen tech: AI, hypersonics, autonomous systems, quantum, and cyber
- Delivers the largest servicemember pay raise in decades
- Improves housing, healthcare, and mental health access for troops and their families
- Boosts recruitment, training, and oversight to restore a wartime footing across the force
Congressman Harrigan’s amendments—successfully offered and now moving forward—include:
- Blocking Chinese Communist Party-controlled businesses from locking in long-term retail contracts on U.S. military bases
- Establishing a SkyFoundry working group to grow American drone production and launch a dedicated innovation center
- Requiring a report on U.S. military posture in the Sahel and West Africa to counter Russian influence and combat terrorism
- Expanding mental health support by evaluating anonymous telehealth platforms for servicemembers
- Pushing the Army to assess integrating counter-drone training into basic training pipelines
- Directing a feasibility study on co-locating Small Modular Reactors and data centers to enhance base energy resilience
- Expanding the Pentagon’s nuclear innovation strategy to include SMRs alongside microreactors
The NDAA now moves to the House floor for full debate and final passage. Congressman Harrigan is calling for immediate passage to deliver the reforms, capabilities, and deterrence the American military needs.