Congresswoman Jen Kiggans Secures Major Wins for Military Families and Hampton Roads in Defense Bill

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans has announced significant victories for military families and the Hampton Roads region in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bipartisan legislation aims to strengthen America's national defense, improve the quality of life for servicemembers and their families, and revitalize the defense industrial base. The bill now heads to conference with the Senate later this year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FY26 NDAA includes a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, expands military bonuses and special pays, and reforms the Basic Needs Allowance by removing Base Allowance for Housing (BAH) from income calculations.
  • The bill invests over $1.4 billion in new barracks and family housing construction, strengthens healthcare access by preventing cuts to military medical billets and authorizing major hospital renovations.
  • Congresswoman Kiggans secured several floor amendment victories, including new protections for TRICARE beneficiaries, stronger oversight of PCS reimbursements, and reforms to make housing allowances more responsive to rising costs of living.
  • The bill requires the Navy to provide a detailed plan for basing F-35C squadrons, advances shipyard modernization through cost-saving software evaluation, and authorizes over $22 billion in new shipbuilding, including a Columbia-class submarine, Virginia-class submarine, and Ford-class aircraft carrier.
  • The NDAA also establishes a National Commission on the Maritime Industrial Base to recommend policies that revitalize American shipbuilding and protect long-term naval readiness.

Statistics:

  • 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers
  • $1.4 billion invested in new barracks and family housing construction
  • $22 billion authorized for new shipbuilding, including:

+ $1.1 billion for a Columbia-class submarine

+ $2.3 billion for a Virginia-class submarine

+ $18.6 billion for a Ford-class aircraft carrier

  • Over $361 million authorized for new childcare centers
  • More than $1.2 billion invested in healthcare access, including major hospital renovations and expanded TRICARE coverage for pregnant women and reservists

Sources:

  • Congresswoman Jen Kiggans, "Kiggans Secures Major Wins for Hampton Roads and Military Families in Defense Bill," https://kiggans.house.gov/posts/kiggans-secures-major-wins-for-hampton-roads-and-military-families-in-defense-bill
  • U.S. House of Representatives, "Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act," https://www.house.gov/news-press-releases/2023/09/06/remarks-levin-meet-press-briefing-yesterdays-markup-fy-2026-ndaa