“This year’s NDAA, which includes a 3.8 percent pay increase for all servicemembers, strengthens military readiness and reaffirms our commitment to the people who serve,” said Houlahan.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, successfully secured 40 priorities in the bipartisan, bicameral compromise of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The conference report released last week reflects months of negotiations and delivers major reforms to strengthen military readiness, protect servicemembers and their families, and safeguard America’s competitive edge at a time of rapid and unpredictable change within the Department of Defense.
Houlahan, who has consistently championed servicemembers, military families, and the modernization of the force, secured several provisions to prepare for the threats of tomorrow and meet the military’s needs of today.
“This year’s NDAA, which includes a 3.8 percent pay increase for all servicemembers, strengthens military readiness and reaffirms our commitment to the people who serve,” said Houlahan. “I’m especially proud that we delivered landmark protections for military women by permanently codifying Women’s Initiative Teams across every service branch, an achievement that was not included in the Senate bill but one I fought to keep in the final package. These protections strengthen our force, our families, and our national security, and are vital under an Administration working to sideline women and erase their contributions. I’m grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for helping us get this across the finish line.”
Key wins included in the Final FY26 NDAA:
Codifies Women’s Initiative Teams (WITs) across all services. This monumental provision championed by Houlahan ensures each branch maintains structured teams dedicated to identifying and removing barriers to women’s recruitment, retention, health, safety, and advancement.
Expands the federal government’s ability to defend military and civilian infrastructure from drone threats. For the first time, local and federal law enforcement will be able to take on drone threats, in addition to our most sensitive military facilities.
Modernizes Selective Service through automatic registration. This update will save taxpayer dollars and reverse falling registration rates by ensuring the Selective Service automatically registers young men, so that none inadvertently face the serious penalties of failing to register.
Improves identification of military personnel supporting civilian law enforcement. This provision requires military personnel to clearly display their service affiliation when assisting law enforcement agencies, reinforcing transparency and public trust.
Strengthens Army and Special Operations readiness with modern heavy-lift helicopters. This provision enhances mobility, lethality, and strategic reach while supporting 469 Boeing employees in Pennsylvania’s Sixth District whose advanced manufacturing work is essential to national security.
Pushes for the rapid development and deployment of next-generation vertical-lift capabilities, including unmanned helicopter systems.
Protects DoDEA schools and military child development centers from sudden closures or service reductions. This legislation will block any future attempts by the Trump Administration to lay off teachers and other education professionals that serve our military schools. This year’s NDAA also expands in-home childcare support for military families.
Improves energy resilience and grid independence at military installations.
This provision strengthens base-level energy security, ensuring mission-critical activities continue during grid failures, natural disasters, or attacks on U.S. infrastructure.
Enhances transparency and evaluation of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). This provision requires DoD to publish clear explanations of how BAH is calculated and directs a study exploring alternative formulas to better reflect modern housing markets and family needs.
Expands medical research and public-health preparedness across DoD.
This year’s NDAA supports research into infectious diseases and biodefense threats that could disrupt military operations, agriculture, and the global food supply, helping the U.S. stay ahead of emerging biological risks.
Enacts provisions of the Protecting Military Parental Leave Evaluation Act, which enables servicemembers and their families to take parental leave within a two-year period, providing flexibility that works best for them.
As the founder and co-chair of the BIOTech Caucus and a leading voice in Congress on biotechnology, Houlahan also secured several major victories in biotechnology, ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of defense innovation in emerging biological, health, and manufacturing technologies.
Key biotechnology wins included in the Final FY26 NDAA:
Enacts Rep. Houlahan’s Defense Biotechnology Strategy Act, directing the Department to develop a comprehensive biotechnology strategy outlining national security impacts, plans to expand biomanufacturing, deepen NATO and industry coordination, modernize data and regulatory infrastructure, and develop a biotechnology workforce training program.
Requires the Department to develop and release comprehensive ethics and oversight policies for responsible biotechnology use. These standards will ensure safety, informed consent, compliance with international norms, and environmental and human-performance safeguards to advance biotech in a principled, accountable manner.
Establishes a senior biotechnology official and a new Biotechnology Management Office within the Department of Defense to oversee execution of the Defense Biotechnology Strategy, streamline regulatory processes, coordinate across government and industry, and address workforce and innovation gaps. This will ensure the Department can effectively harness rapidly advancing biotechnology for national security.
Authorizes the Department to establish a Bioindustrial Commercialization Program to fund the expansion, upgrade, and retooling of domestic biomanufacturing facilities, strengthening U.S. supply chain resilience and supporting national security needs.
Directs the Department to report on the development of BioMADE, the national bioindustrial manufacturing innovation institute, emphasizing its importance for strengthening the U.S. bioindustrial sector, workforce, and defense industrial base.
Directs the Department to report on its efforts to recruit, train, and retain biotechnology personnel to ensure a skilled workforce capable of advancing defense biotechnology initiatives.
Through her leadership on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Houlahan championed two additional biotech provisions included in the FY26 Intelligence Authorization Act, which is included in the NDAA:
Requires each major element of the U.S. intelligence community to designate a senior official responsible for coordinating biotechnology activities and notify Congress, ensuring centralized oversight of emerging biotech within national security and intelligence operations.
Requires the Director of National Intelligence to produce and submit to Congress a National Intelligence Estimate on China’s advancements in biotechnology and related technologies, providing critical insight to inform U.S. national security and policy decisions.
