Delivering for Hampton Roads: Rep. Kiggans Secures Major Wins for Servicemembers and Military Families in FY26 NDAA

Strategic Insights -

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) has announced that the House Armed Services Committee has completed its mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes several key provisions she championed to support servicemembers, modernize the fleet, and strengthen Hampton Roads' role in national defense. The NDAA authorizes $882.6 billion in national defense funding, including a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, $3.1 billion in advanced procurement for Virginia-class submarines, and over $18 billion authorized for military construction (MILCON). Rep. Kiggans' leadership resulted in numerous amendments and base text provisions, focusing on improving quality of life for servicemembers and families, military recruitment and retention, fleet modernization, and countering global threats.

Key Takeaways:

  • Rep. Kiggans led several key provisions in the FY26 NDAA, prioritizing the needs of servicemembers, their families, and the Hampton Roads region.
  • The NDAA includes a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, $3.1 billion in advanced procurement for Virginia-class submarines, and over $18 billion authorized for military construction (MILCON).
  • Rep. Kiggans' initiatives include reducing TRICARE travel reimbursement mileage thresholds, requiring centralized licensure verification for military healthcare providers, and expanding commissary and MWR access to civil service mariners.
  • Key wins led or supported by Rep. Kiggans in the FY26 NDAA include:

+ Reduces TRICARE travel reimbursement mileage threshold from 100 to 50 miles

+ Requires centralized licensure verification for military healthcare providers

+ Expands commissary and MWR access to civil service mariners

+ Directs a study on long-term brain injury risks from high-performance military flying

+ Requires schools to allow access to military recruiters and expands JROTC availability

+ Creates new DoD/industry pathways for medically disqualified applicants

+ Prohibits disqualification from service based solely on resolved childhood medical diagnoses

+ Increases F-35C procurement and ensures transparency on future basing decisions

+ Funds $13 billion for shipbuilding and $1.6 billion for aircraft carriers under construction

+ Directs DoD to evaluate portable nuclear energy options for deployed forces

+ Expands ship repair timelines to support Hampton Roads yards

+ Adds maritime industrial base review to the Navy Commission's scope

+ Expands DoD scholarship oversight in national security fields, with focus on biotech gaps

+ Funds $1 billion for Taiwan Security Cooperation and $300M/year for Ukraine assistance

  • Rep. Kiggans emphasized her commitment to supporting servicemembers and military families, stating, "This year's NDAA delivers for our men and women in uniform and for the Hampton Roads region that supports them."

Statistics:

  • $882.6 billion in national defense funding authorized in the FY26 NDAA
  • 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers
  • $3.1 billion in advanced procurement for Virginia-class submarines
  • Over $18 billion authorized for military construction (MILCON)
  • $13 billion allocated for shipbuilding
  • $1.6 billion allocated for aircraft carriers under construction
  • $1 billion for Taiwan Security Cooperation
  • $300M/year for Ukraine assistance

Sources:

  • https://kiggans.house.gov/posts/delivering-for-hampton-roads-rep-kiggans-secures-major-wins-for-servicemembers-and-military-families-in-fy26-ndaa