WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement following the final passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes funding levels and sets policies for the U.S. military. Senator Blackburn secured multiple provisions for Tennessee in the NDAA.

“This year’s national defense bill will help safeguard U.S. national security and support our men and women in uniform by enabling the Department of War to carry out President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda and ensuring we are prepared for the formidable threats posed by the New Axis of Evil,” said Senator Blackburn. “Tennessee’s tens of thousands of service members and military installations play a vital role in that mission, and this legislation will ban harmful DEI programs, modernize critical infrastructure, fund important research programs, and strengthen national security.”

BLACKBURN-SECURED NDAA WINS FOR TENNESSEE

Below is a list of key priorities for Tennessee included in the FY26 NDAA:

Fort Campbell Modernization Projects

• Replaces the current 49-year-old tower, which is the oldest tower on any power projection platform and is in desperate need of adequate height, space, and visibility for modern operations. 

• Provides modern housing for the 101st Airborne Division.

Army National Guard Projects 

• Funding for planning and design to support the Smyrna Training Site.

Research and Development in Tennessee

• Expands Vanderbilt’s Pathfinder-Air Assault project with the Army to include the Tennessee National Guard.

• Provides funding for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Vanderbilt-led program to build secure, robust, and dependable artificial intelligence models.

Support for Oak Ridge Reservation

• Continues U.S. Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration funding to support national security operations, environmental cleanup, and long-term modernization across the Oak Ridge Reservation, including the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

ADDITIONAL NDAA WINS

Below is a list of additional critical wins secured in the FY26 NDAA:

Quantum Readiness Strategy (Provision Secured by Senator Blackburn)

• Requires the U.S. Department of Defense to submit a strategy to Congress on quantum readiness.
  
  
• Ensures the U.S. is prepared to compete with foreign adversaries’ advances in quantum.

Returning the U.S. Department of War (DoW) to Its Warfighting Mission and Eliminating Wokeness

• Repeals DEI statutes within the DoW and prohibits new DEI-related practices.
  
  
• Protects women’s sports at service academies by prohibiting men from participating in women’s athletic programs.

Improving Service Member Quality of Life 

• Authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for service members.

• Bans cell phones in DoW schools.

• Improves information-sharing with state veterans’ agencies to connect service members transitioning out of service with benefits.

• Modernizes the military food program and provides service members with healthier and more affordable dining options.
  
  

Supporting President Trump’s Efforts to Secure the Southern Border and Defend the Homeland

• Extends provisions keeping Guantanamo Bay open for Law of War detainees.

• Allows governors to utilize active National Guard and Reserve personnel for disaster response.

Advancing Reform of the Pentagon’s Budgeting & Acquisition Processes

• Requires a Secretary of War report on audit progress and options to accelerate activities to meet the 2028 audit deadline.

Building on President Trump’s Military Recruitment Surge

• Increases required Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) units by 100 and authorizes a bonus for new instructors.

Strengthening Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific

• Authorizes $1B for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative.
  
  
• Establishes a new joint U.S.–Taiwan unmanned systems program.