WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which authorizes significant investments to ensure the United States is prepared to meet global security threats and challenges. The measure also delivers crucial quality of life support for servicemembers as well as their loved ones. 

“Peace through strength only succeeds when Congress does its basic duty to provide the men and women serving in uniform with the tools, resources and strategic advantages to defend our nation and interests. This bill unquestionably delivers by emphasizing readiness, lethality and deterrence while embracing technology and innovation,” Boozman said. “It also supports the needs of servicemembers and their families with a pay raise and enhancements to housing, education and childcare programs. I was proud to support this measure that strengthens Arkansas’s key contributions to our national defense.”

The legislation includes several priorities enhancing and expanding national security installations, missions and industries in The Natural State. Boozman-backed provisions in the FY26 NDAA include: 

- Increased support for organic industrial base sites such as Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) through the establishment and modernization of additional production lines;

• Boozman and the Arkansas Congressional Delegation have worked to protect the long-term outlook of PBA and its impact for the munitions supply chain.

- Enhanced airspace security at military installations through inclusion of the COUNTER Act, led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), which simplifies guidance to enable more military bases to detect, track and neutralize drones;

- Authorization of the SkyFoundry Program allowing the Army to rapidly field small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and components in partnership with industry, which Red River Army Depot is well-positioned to support;

- Rep. French Hill’s (AR-02) provisions to expand C-130J training capacity at Little Rock Air Force Base and ensure it remains the leading tactical airlift installation as well as requiring accreditation of the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center located at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, which offers premier instruction in the proper use of certain small weapons systems, to permanently keep it in Arkansas and within the Arkansas National Guard; and

- Evaluating U.S. stockpiles of critical munitions required to fight simultaneous conflicts, some of which are produced in Camden by major defense contractors.

 

Other measures in the bill will:

 

- Provide a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers while improving housing as well as military dependent education and daycare initiatives;

- Reform and streamline defense acquisitions as well as update progress on audit activities to meet the statutory 2028 deadline;

- Accelerate expansion of the defense industrial base, including munitions and readiness restoration efforts;

- Authorize key portions of the Golden Dome missile defense system to protect the U.S. homeland;

- Enhance cooperation for border security activities with the Department of Homeland Security; and

- Support military recruitment surge efforts including broadening recruiter access to secondary schools and extending recruitment bonuses.

 

The U.S. House of Representatives has also passed the conferenced version of the FY26 NDAA. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.