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Providing for the common defense of the United States of America is the federal government’s primary duty. Repairing and rebuilding our military is key to defending our country and Congress is continuing the effort to ensure that our brave warfighters have the resources they need to meet current and future threats.
As the global security environment grows increasingly dangerous, maintaining a strong, capable, and combat-ready military is essential to defending our nation. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027 (advances this objective by strengthening our national defense, deterring adversaries, and restoring depleted weapons stockpiles. It also invests in the capabilities necessary to sustain a strong U.S. military presence and ensures our warfighters have the resources, equipment, and tools needed to succeed in future conflicts. As Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, I helped move this bill to the House floor, where it ultimately passed with bipartisan support.
Unfortunately, quality of life concerns for our servicemembers and their families have resulted in low morale and undermines recruitment, retention, and military readiness. In addition to strengthening our national defense, the FY27 NDAA also makes significant investments in our servicemembers. The bill increases pay for all military personnel by 5-7%, authorizes over $1.8 billion for new construction of barracks and family housing, and increases Family Separation Allowance for deployed troops. Our servicemembers are the bedrock of our national security and strengthening our military starts by ensuring they are taken care of.
The entire nation owes our military personnel and veterans a huge debt of gratitude, and we must ensure that debt is properly repaid. One of the ways we have sought to repay that debt is through providing affordable health care for military members and their families, both when in uniform and after they have retired. I am a strong supporter of health care for our veterans and recognize the importance of providing full access to all benefits our veterans have earned, through an easily accessible and affordable system.
Our soldiers and veterans are some of our finest citizens. We will never forget those who have sacrificed to protect, uphold, and defend America and her interests.
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