WASHINGTON— Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Foreign Relations Committees, commends the Senate’s passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), marking 65 consecutive years Congress has passed this important bill, setting the policy priorities for the United States military. The FY26 NDAA supports essential resources for servicemembers and their families, strengthens America’s national security, and importantly, it authorizes significant investments in Tennessee.
“Enabling our brave servicemembers to effectively defend our homeland is one of Congress’s most essential responsibilities,” said Senator Hagerty. “This legislation carries out President Trump’s peace through strength agenda, from codifying 15 Executive Orders, to providing additional authorities to support border security efforts, and creating new authorities to revitalize the defense industrial base, growing defense manufacturing jobs in America, and onshoring our defense supply chains. I’m pleased the Senate passed this legislation, which will enable the Volunteer State to remain at the forefront of protecting our Nation and strengthening America’s national security at a pivotal time. I look forward to President Trump signing this bill into law.”
Hagerty secured critical priorities for the State of Tennessee, including:
- Authorizes a 3.8 percent pay raise for all Tennessee servicemembers
- Authorizes $544 million for the Oak Ridge nuclear reservation, including key projects at the Y-12 National Security Complex
- Authorizes all U.S. nuclear modernization programs and increases support for nuclear infrastructure, including domestic uranium enrichment capabilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex
- Authorizes various critical research and development projects across Tennessee with private sector developers and Tennessee Universities, which will ensure our servicemembers have access to cutting-edge military technology
- Authorizes several construction projects at Fort Campbell to modernize critical infrastructure and enhance military readiness capabilities
- Authorizes funding for the planning and design of a new aircraft maintenance hangar for the Tennessee Army National Guard
- Includes extensive reporting requirements to understand how to revitalize munitions industrial base, including the Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Kingsport
The legislation goes to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.
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