Owens Advances Utah Priorities in Annual Defense Bill

WASHINGTON — Congressman Burgess Owens (UT-04) released the following statement after voting to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026.

“The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act puts Utah and America First,” said Rep. Owens. “From fully funding the F-35 and Sentinel missile programs at Hill Air Force Base to revitalizing our state’s depot maintenance capacity, advanced manufacturing and supply chains, the NDAA ensures Utah continues to be a cornerstone of U.S. national defense and strategic deterrence. At the same time, it delivers for America’s troops, making sure our servicemembers and their families have the pay, benefits, and tools they need to keep America safe and secure. Under President Trump, peace through strength is back, and I was proud to help support this victory for Utah families, America’s warfighters, and the security of our nation.”

Background on the FY26 NDAA

• Total Authorization: $892.6 billion for national defense discretionary programs, aligning with President Trump’s budget request.
• Research & Development: $142.6 billion for emerging technologies including AI, hypersonics, quantum computing, autonomous systems, directed energy, and space capabilities.
• Munitions Investment: $15+ billion to restore America’s arsenal. 
• Servicemember Pay: 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, plus reauthorization of bonuses and special pay.
• Servicemember Quality of Life:
  • $1.4 billion for new barracks and family housing.
  • $361 million for new childcare centers.
  • $147 million for new schools for military children.
  • Expanded bereavement and convalescent leave, improved access to healthcare, mental health, and dental care.
• Acquisition Reform: Streamlining timelines from nearly three years to as few as 90 days; cutting red tape in procurement; accelerating commercial innovation adoption.
• Border Security:
  • Fully funds National Guard and active-duty troop support for Customs and Border Protection.
  • $900 million to fight drug trafficking, including $398 million for DoD counter-narcotics ops and $116 million for National Guard programs.
• Budget Savings: Over $20 billion in savings, including $15 billion from DOGE-initiated reforms, $1.6 billion in climate program cuts, $6.8 billion from bureaucracy reductions, and $5 billion from inefficient programs.
• DEI & Woke Programs: Eliminates all DEI programs at DoD, prohibits CRT, ends affirmative action at service academies, and ensures merit-based promotions.
• Strategic Deterrence: Full funding for missile defense, nuclear modernization, and the Golden Dome initiative.
• China Deterrence: Extends Pacific Deterrence Initiative, funds $1B Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, prohibits DoD reliance on Chinese supply chains.
• Israel Defense: Fully funds joint U.S.–Israel missile defense programs, adds $70 million for counter-UAS cooperation, and $50 million for anti-tunnel programs.

Wins for Utah

• Hill Air Force Base Support: Full funding for F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and the Sentinel missile program that keep Hill Air Force Base’s workforce central to America’s nuclear deterrence and air superiority.
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments: ​​Language directing the DOD to study alternative Basic Allowance for Housing calculation methodology to account for the increasing cost of living on the Wasatch Front. 
• Rep. Owens Amendment Passed: Language that supports Utah based efforts to enhance and improve the data network interoperability of multiple Army aviation platforms.
• Defense Industrial Base Growth: Major reforms to revitalize domestic manufacturing and supply chains, protecting Utah’s role as a hub for defense innovation, depot maintenance, and advanced additive manufacturing.
• Servicemember & Family Quality of Life: Investments in housing, healthcare, and childcare support for Utah’s military families.

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