Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, voted in favor of the final passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

This legislation includes significant wins for Virginia, such as critical investments in submarine and aircraft carriers production, advances in resilient nuclear energy and counter-drone technologies, and improvements in servicemember pay and resources, which will enhance the quality of life for Virginia servicemembers and their families.  

“This year’s NDAA projects peace through strength by providing our service members with the equipment and weapons necessary to protect our nation, and the policies and funding authorized by this year’s bill will be felt throughout the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Wittman. “This bill is the result of months of bipartisan collaboration and represents Congress’s continued commitment to defending our nation, citizens, and way of life.  I am proud to vote for the final passage of this bipartisan legislation that prioritizes the brave men and women who serve our nation and continues vital investments in the shipbuilding ecosystem – a cornerstone of Virginia’s economy.” 

Virginia is home to the Pentagon, Marine Corps Base Quantico, and the largest concentration of naval forces in the world in Hampton Roads. Virginia is also one of the top states for active duty military personnel, with nearly 130,000 servicemembers calling the Commonwealth home. In the most recently available data, Virginia ranks second in defense spending of any state, behind only California.

The FY26 NDAA contains many provisions that will benefit Virginia, which Rep. Wittman advocated for, including:

Strengthening Virginia Shipbuilding

• Fully funds the Ford-class Aircraft Carrier program by providing $612 million in advance procurement and provides authority to enter into a contract for the purchase of the next two ships in the class, CVN-82 and CVN-83. The aircraft carrier industrial base supports nearly 12,000 jobs in Virginia and generates $2.3 billion in economic activity annually.

• Authorizes funding for the third Columbia-class Ballistic Missile Submarine and one Virginia-class Submarine. The submarine industrial base in Virginia boats nearly 300 suppliers, and its economic impact in VA-01 is over $18 million each year.

• Authorizes advanced procurement funding for Columbia- and Virginia-class Submarines and Ford-class Aircraft Carriers.

• Provides $2 million for a pier power project at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, submitted through a Community Project Funding (CPF) request.

Modernizing Aviation Capabilities

• Creates a pilot program to integrate civilian sensor networks with Air Force counter-drone capabilities to defend U.S. bases, created in response to drone incursions at Joint Base Langley-Eustis.

• Codifies Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) 401, the organization tasked with integrating counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities across the Department.

• Continues investment into the Navy’s 6th generation fighter program, F/A-XX, with major ramifications for the Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base at Naval Air Station Oceana.

Maintaining Military Readiness

• Establishes a pilot program to co-locate small modular reactors (SMR) on military bases.

• Supports additional funding for TRISO nuclear fuel development to support micronuclear reactor production.

Supporting Servicemembers and Their Families

• Supports a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers.

• Implements the ANCHOR for Military Families Act: ensures that military families are informed of their educational rights, school enrollment support, and other key relocation resources, such as housing assistance, spouse employment support, and services through the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP).

• Includes the 

• Authorizes over $2 billion for new dining facilities, barracks, family housing, and childcare centers.

• Authorizes $935 million for military construction (MILCON) across Virginia, including $73.958 million at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown in VA-01.