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Legislative bills

Senator Ted Budd Advances Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act with Key Provisions for Troop Readiness, North Carolina Military Installations, and Homeland Security

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

North Carolina Senator Ted Budd has secured significant provisions in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) aimed at boosting America's fighting force, increasing funding for North Carolina military installations, protecting the homeland, and strengthening alliances. The bill, which was recently voted to advance to the Senate floor, contains provisions led by Senator Budd to improve facilities and programs, bolster air superiority, reduce regulatory burdens, support allies, and combat terrorism.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Budd championed a 3.8% raise across the board for service members, creating a pilot program to improve Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for North Carolina service members and their families, and prohibiting affirmative action in U.S. Service Academies admissions.
  • The FY 2026 NDAA authorizes more than $700 million for military construction projects and planning and design funding at facilities across North Carolina, including Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and the North Carolina National Guard.
  • Senator Budd secured authorizing provisions to support dozens of specific facilities, programs, and units, including the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center, the Flightline Utilities Modernization project, and the Special Operations Forces Combat Service Support/Motor Transport.
  • The bill requires a plan to ensure installation commanders have adequate guidance and authority to interdict hostile or suspicious drone activity with force immediately, directing the Secretary of the Army to diversify and expand the Army's counter-drone capabilities.
  • Senator Budd led the inclusion of several key priorities to deter threats from China, including cutting bureaucratic red tape to permit fighter aircraft to use tactical datalinks and directing a report on the PRC's operation, ownership, or control of strategic foreign ports.

Statistics:

  • $700 million+ authorized for military construction projects and planning and design funding at facilities across North Carolina.
  • 3.8% raise across the board for service members.
  • $40M+ in funding to boost the F-35 Aircraft Sustainment Center.
  • $15M+ in funding to design the next phase of the Flightline Utilities Modernization project.
  • $80M+ in funding to improve Fort Bragg's power generation and microgrid.

Sources:

  • [Senator Ted Budd's statement on the FY 2026 NDAA](https://www.senate.gov/?page=sasc)
  • [North Carolina Senator Ted Budd's website](https://www.budd.senate.gov)

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