WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA). The bipartisan legislation supports service members and their families, strengthens military readiness, and enhances national security. Several provisions Senator Capito advocated for or championed were included in this legislation and stand to benefit West Virginia.
“Ensuring our service members have the tools they need to carry out their missions is one of Congress’ most significant responsibilities. This legislation supports our troops and their families, reforms antiquated processes at the Pentagon, and makes much-needed strides in reinvigorating our defense industrial base. I was proud to once again secure the inclusion of provisions that support West Virginia’s role in our national defense, and to work with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this incredibly important legislation, as we have for decades,” Senator Capito said.
THE NDAA INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS THAT BENEFIT WEST VIRGINIA:
– Authorizes the Pentagon to officially establish and maintain an “Irregular Warfare Exercise Laboratory,” also known as the Ridge Runner military exercise led by the West Virginia National Guard. This exercise brings significant economic benefits to the state of West Virginia while increasing the military readiness of U.S. forces.
– Establishes in law the soldier-inspired innovation program, Catalyst Pathfinder, which was created in West Virginia as a way to accelerate Army technological innovation and save taxpayer money. This West Virginia-based program is already present at numerous Army installations, allowing soldiers to engineer their own innovative solutions to a wide variety of challenges.
– Requires the Navy to take action in planning for newer, more effective waterborne security barriers that protect bases and ships from threats. These barriers are manufactured in Wyoming County.
– Directs the Pentagon to address shortfalls in the production of critical chemicals that are required for the production of munitions and are produced in West Virginia.
– Authorizes funding for the Design of a new Squadron Operations Facility at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston, which will support the base’s C-130J mission.
– Encourages the Pentagon to invest in the design and planning of important new updates to deep space radio telescopes such as the Next-Generation VLA and the Green Bank Telescope.
– Encourages continued investments in the domestic supply for strategic minerals and materials, including graphite, which is produced in West Virginia.
ADDITIONAL NDAA HIGHLIGHTS:
– The bill authorizes $878.7 billion for the Department, and a total National Defense topline of $924.7 billion. This is a more than $30 billion increase over the President’s Budget Request.
– Pay Raise: Authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for service members.
– Munitions: Requires a plan to implement critical munitions requirements to ensure our forces have the stockpiles they need for long-term preparedness.
– Pentagon Reform: Includes numerous provisions to improve efficiency and support audit efforts.
