WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to the release of the final negotiated language for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA).
“I intend to vote yes on final passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act when it comes to the House floor later this week. While I have concerns about how the Speaker and White House handled the final negotiations of the bill, the majority of this legislation reflects months of bipartisan negotiations done in good faith between the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. While I do not support everything included in this bill, on balance I believe it deserves support.
“This year’s bill delivers the most significant acquisition reforms in a generation. It includes a 3.8 percent pay raise for all service members; extends efforts to improve childcare and military housing; and protects civilian workers from arbitrary reductions in force. It includes significant investments in science and technology so that we remain on the cutting edge of advancements for a strong national defense. And it shows allies and partners that the United States still stands with them, including Ukraine and throughout Europe.
“Democrats secured significant oversight measures to counter actions taken by the Trump Administration, including fencing funding until the Secretary of Defense provides unedited videos of strikes that have occurred against designated terrorist organizations in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility as well as copies of Execute Orders. It also requires notifications and detailed justifications for removal of general officers and greater transparency and reporting on the use of military aircraft, personnel, and installations for immigration enforcement. The bill also includes provisions to ensure the Trump Administration doesn’t walk away from our partners and allies. Finally, and after years of effort, the bill repeals the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force against Iraq. These are significant provisions that push back on areas where House Democrats have disagreed with Trump Administration actions this year.
“We were also successful in removing several partisan riders and poison pills included in the House-passed bill earlier this year. That includes mitigation of numerous attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals and DEI efforts; curtailing sales of military guns to the public; and excluding harmful provisions and other language that sought to restrict university research, which jeopardized U.S. innovation and fundamental research.
“However, I am concerned with how a number of issues were handled by the Speaker and the White House during final negotiations, disregarding input from committees of jurisdiction and forcing in provisions without four-corner agreement. This goes against the longstanding tradition of the NDAA negotiations process. The Speaker also directed the exclusion of several issues that have bipartisan and bicameral support, including legislation to establish access to IVF, address the renaming of military installations and bases after Confederates, and protect collective bargaining rights for thousands of Department of Defense civilian employees. I am disappointed these items were excluded from the final text and will keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advocate for them going forward.”
A copy of the FY26 NDAA final text summary compiled by House Armed Services Committee Democrats can be found here.
A copy of the FY26 NDAA Highlights three-pager can be found here.
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