North Michigan News

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with support from Rep. Jack Bergman, Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee. The legislation aims to enhance military capability and efficiency, in line with President Trump’s defense priorities.

Rep. Bergman stated, “This NDAA puts our warfighters and our Nation first - modernizing weapons, cutting waste, improving safety, raising pay, and delivering on our promise to make the United States warfighters the most ready, capable, and lethal force in history. As Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, I fought alongside my colleagues to ensure this bill addresses the real challenges our servicemembers face and delivers results that will make our military stronger, safer, and better prepared.”

Key elements of the FY26 NDAA include efforts to accelerate defense acquisition processes by reducing procurement timelines from several years to as few as 90 days. The act also supports a 3.8% pay raise for troops and extends bonuses and special pay while investing in new aircraft such as the F-47 and other advanced systems.

The legislation introduces mandatory merit-based promotions for service academies while eliminating diversity-related programs within the Department of Defense. It provides full funding for National Guard deployments at the southwest border and allocates over $900 million toward counter-narcotics operations.

Cost-saving measures are included through reductions in spending on climate initiatives and outdated weapons systems. The act also seeks to strengthen missile defense capabilities—such as President Trump’s Golden Dome initiative—and maintains key aircraft fleets while enhancing cooperation with Israel on defense matters.

Rep. Jack Bergman has represented Michigan’s 1st district in Congress since 2017 after succeeding Dan Benishek (https://bergman.house.gov/). He was born in Shakopee, Minnesota in 1947 and currently resides in Watersmeet (https://www.congress.gov/member/jack-bergman/B001301). Bergman holds degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College (1969) and the University of West Florida.