Senator Marshall Praises Passage of Modern & Innovative NDAA for 2026

Washington – On Friday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), issued a statement after the Senate voted on the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), praising its passage. The 2026 NDAA implements key Pentagon reforms to improve efficiency, unleash innovation, and modernize the budget process.

“The legislation we passed last night will keep America safe, continuing a promise that President Trump made to the American people,” said Senator Marshall. “Peace comes through strength, and this latest NDAA increases our lethality, modernizing to put America First in our hemisphere, all while ensuring America’s taxpayer dollars are spent prudently in our defense.”

Additionally, the 2026 NDAA will authorize:

• Funding to support a 3.8 percent pay raise for military members, adding onto the 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted soldiers and 4.5 percent increase for all other servicemembers from last year’s NDAA.
• $50 million for the Department of War (DOW) assistance to educational agencies affected by the enrollment of military and DOW civilian dependents.
• $10 million for impact aid payments for children with disabilities
• $20 million for local educational agencies determined by the Secretary of War to have high concentrations of military children with severe disabilities.
• The establishment of a demonstration program to expand partnerships between DOW and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities for the purpose of increasing case volume for DOW graduate medical education programs

Within the NDAA, Kansas will benefit from increased funding to Fort Riley, home of the legendary First Infantry Division, including $26 million for a new air traffic control tower, $13.2 million for an automated infantry platoon battle course, and $16 million for a new barracks.

Senator Marshall also played a key role in specific amendments to the NDAA, including the Commissary Healthy Options and Servicemember Wellness (CHOW) Act, which creates a common-sense pilot program at two installations selected by the Department of War to provide servicemembers with a monthly credit to use at their on-base commissary, ensuring they have access to affordable, healthy food.

Click here to read the full text of the NDAA.

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Contact: Payton Fuller