WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress approved the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act on Wednesday, a sweeping defense policy bill that Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick said delivers major security, economic, and military benefits to the commonwealth while reinforcing U.S. readiness at home and abroad.
McCormick, a Republican, voted for the measure after securing multiple provisions he sponsored or supported, ranging from countering China’s economic and military influence to strengthening border security and expanding defense manufacturing. The annual NDAA now advances for final enactment under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“The NDAA is a decisive win for Pennsylvania and America,” McCormick said, calling the bill a fulfillment of Congress’ core responsibility to protect the nation. He pointed to provisions aimed at countering Chinese aggression, supporting shipbuilding and defense industrialization, and improving pay and quality of life for service members.
Among McCormick’s legislative wins included in the bill is the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act, which directs U.S. officials at the International Monetary Fund to support Taiwan’s potential membership and participation, and a measure requiring the State Department to craft a strategy to weaken transnational criminal organizations operating in Mexico. Another provision mandates a Securities and Exchange Commission study of transparency and oversight involving Chinese-controlled financial intermediaries.
The NDAA also incorporates broader initiatives McCormick co-sponsored, including restrictions on sensitive investments tied to national security threats, expanded scrutiny of foreign land purchases near military installations, and new presumptions to ensure public safety officers exposed to carcinogens receive benefits if diagnosed with certain cancers.
Pennsylvania stands to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in authorized military construction funding. Projects include $91.5 million for Letterkenny Army Depot, $94.1 million for Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, $90 million for Defense Distribution Depot New Cumberland, and significant investments at Tobyhanna Army Depot, the Harrisburg Air National Guard base, and other installations across the state.
Beyond Pennsylvania, the bill advances McCormick’s priorities on border security by authorizing expanded Defense Department support for the Department of Homeland Security, funding National Guard deployments, and allocating more than $1 billion to counter drug trafficking operations. It also provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for service members, increases family separation allowances, expands housing construction, and boosts bonuses and special pays.
A central focus of the NDAA is countering China’s rise. The legislation extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, funds advanced military technologies such as artificial intelligence and hypersonics, and bans the Defense Department from sourcing critical minerals and sensitive technologies from China and other adversaries. It also fully funds the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative at $1 billion to strengthen the island’s self-defense capabilities.
McCormick said the package reinforces Pennsylvania’s role as a cornerstone of the nation’s defense infrastructure while positioning the U.S. to meet emerging global threats.
“This bill strengthens our military, secures our borders, supports our troops, and protects the American people,” he said.
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