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Legislative bills

Senator Rosen Secures Major Wins for Servicemembers in Nevada

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Senator Jacky Rosen's efforts have led to the passage of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes provisions to improve the lives of servicemembers in Nevada. The bill classifies the Nevada Test and Training Range as contaminated, requires the Defense Department to document radiation and toxin exposure, and provides a 3.8% pay raise for all troops. Senator Rosen's amendment also enables remotely piloted aircraft crews to access critical mental health services through the VA once separated from the military. The bill also supports enlisted retention efforts, authorizes military construction projects, and does not authorize funding for defense nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA) was passed with broad bipartisan support, with Senator Jacky Rosen's provisions championing the needs of servicemembers in Nevada.
  • The bill classifies the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) as contaminated, requires the Defense Department to document servicemember exposures to radiation and toxins, and requires the Air Force to identify those who served at classified locations within the NTTR since 1951.
  • The Senate NDAA authorizes $47 million to accelerate modernization of the Fallon Range Training Complex, with $5.4 million allocated for a larger fuel cell hangar at the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno, and $3.2 million for an engine maintenance and support facility.
  • Senator Rosen's amendment enables remotely piloted aircraft crews to access critical mental health services through the VA once separated from the military, supporting servicemembers at bases like Creech Air Force Base.
  • The bill provides a 3.8% pay raise for all troops and supports enlisted retention efforts through higher pay.
  • The NDAA does not authorize any funding for defense nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain.
  • The bill designates Creech Air Force Base as a remote installation, making it eligible for additional funding for morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) activities and medical services.
  • The legislation includes provisions to provide military training and qualification records to post-9/11 veterans to assist them in obtaining civilian jobs.

Statistics:

  • $47 million: allocated for Fallon Range Training Complex modernization
  • $5.4 million: allocated for a larger fuel cell hangar at the Air National Guard Base in Reno
  • $3.2 million: allocated for an engine maintenance and support facility at the Air National Guard Base in Reno
  • 3.8%: pay raise for all troops
  • $2.3 million: allocated for the expansion of the Nevada Army National Guard Armory in Henderson
  • Over 1,000: servicemembers affected by radiation and toxin exposure at the Nevada Test and Training Range
  • 1951: date of the first nuclear test at the Nevada Test and Training Range

Sources:

  • Senator Jacky Rosen's office
  • U.S. Senate
  • National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA)

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