Kelly votes for National Defense Authorization Act, supports pay raise for service members

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual comprehensive package of legislation that supports American defense and military service members.

The bill now advances to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The FY2026 NDAA includes a 3.8% pay raise for all service members, supports President Trump’s Golden Dome for America initiative, and authorizes President Trump’s budget request of over $900 million to fight drug trafficking, among other priorities.

"This year's NDAA fulfills our America First commitment to protect our homeland and support our service members," said Rep. Kelly. "This comprehensive defense legislation ensures we are strengthening our military both for today and for years to come."

BACKGROUND

The FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

Fully funds our national defense while cutting costs and improving efficiency

• Authorizes $892.6 billion for national defense discretionary programs. The FY26 NDAA saves taxpayers over $20 billion, including $15 billion in DOGE-initiated savings assumed in President Trump’s budget request.
• Saves taxpayers over $20 billion by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy.

Improves servicemember quality of life to address military recruitment, retention, and readiness
 

• Authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers.
• Reauthorizes and expands military bonuses and special pay.
• Authorizes over $1.4 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing.

The FY26 bill codifies President Trump’s efforts to end left-wing ideology, wokeism, and DEI in the military and restores focus on lethality, meritocracy, and accountability.
 

• Prohibits funding for the teaching, training, or promotion of CRT in the military, including at service academies and DoD schools.
• Prohibits funds for any DEI activities at DoD.
• Repeals all existing DoD DEI offices, programs, training, activities, and authorities
• Prohibits DoD funding for colleges and universities that have not acted to prevent or mitigate antisemitic demonstrations on their campuses.
• Requires all selections for candidate admission to West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy be based on candidate merit. Service academies may no longer consider race or ethnicity in admissions decisions

Deters Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aggression
 

• Fully funds the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative at $1 billion
• Increases funding for innovative new technologies needed to deter the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including hypersonics, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, cyber, mobile micronuclear reactors, and high-energy lasers
• Establishes a new Rapid Capabilities Program within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to enhance the nuclear enterprise’s ability to respond to growing nuclear threats from China and Russia.
• Authorizes funding for U.S. forces to continue training Taiwan and other partner nations in resisting China’s aggression and malign influence.

 

Provides unprecedented levels of support for, our ally, Israel, and the resources necessary to counter our adversaries.

Strengthens our nuclear posture, improves missile defense, and accelerates delivery of space capabilities.
 

• The FY26 NDAA supports President Trump’s Golden Dome for America initiative to defend the nation against hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missile attacks; enhances America’s nuclear deterrent; and accelerates delivery of space capabilities to deter the rapidly expanding Chinese and Russian nuclear arsenals and space capabilities.

Continues DoD support of law enforcement operations along our southwest and maritime borders.
 

• Fully funds and provides additional authorities to DoD to support DHS border security efforts
• Fully funds deployment of National Guard and active-duty troops in support of Border Patrol activities at the southwest border
• Authorizes President Trump’s budget request of over $900 million to fight drug trafficking.