McCaul Applauds NDAA Passage, Inclusion of Provisions He Championed
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul — chairman emeritus of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security — issued the following statement after voting to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026.
“Funding our military, ensuring our warfighters are ready to win against any adversary, and taking care of our servicemembers are some of Congress’ core duties. This year’s NDAA accomplishes those goals and delivers on the president’s peace through strength agenda,” said Rep. McCaul. “In addition to improving our servicemembers’ pay and quality of life, the bill delivers new capabilities to our warfighters at a faster pace, revitalizes our defense industrial base to improve readiness and boost our economy, and funds the Golden Dome, which will protect Americans from modern threats like hypersonic missiles for years to come. I was proud to vote for this bill and ensure our nation is prepared to face — and overcome — the challenges of the 21st century.”
McCaul championed several of the provisions in this year’s NDAA, including:
Title LXXXVII, a provision that builds on McCaul’s DFC Modernization Act.
“In the great power competition with China, the DFC is a crucial tool to form partnerships that strengthen U.S. national security. Much like my DFC Modernization Act, this provision will increase the DFC's investment firepower and allow us to partner with high-income countries in important sectors like energy, critical minerals, and rare earths. I’m proud to have played a role in the inception of this provision, which will make the DFC more effective in advancing U.S. interests around the globe.” -Rep. McCaul
Title LXXXV, a provision to restrict outbound investment, which includes the sector-based approach McCaul has championed for years.
“For years, I’ve worked to prevent American investment dollars from flowing into sectors that empower our adversaries' military development and surveillance states. The comprehensive and preventative approach in this provision will ensure the CCP and other adversaries cannot leverage U.S. capital to prop up their war machines and advance their malign agendas.” -Rep. McCaul
Text of the AUKUS Improvement Act, legislation he introduced with Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.).
“The AUKUS security pact, which I prioritized as chairman, serves as a critical deterrent to China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific. The inclusion of this provision in the NDAA will build on that momentum, enhance collaboration amongst AUKUS defense companies, and help establish the deterrence needed to prevent the CCP from instigating a worldwide catastrophe.” -Rep. McCaul
Sections 8362-8363, which are similar to a provision McCaul championed in the State Department Reauthorization to identify, track, and locate abducted Ukrainian children and to hold Russia accountable with sanctions.
“The Russian Federation’s abduction of at least 20,000 children is evil in its purest form. By abducting, indoctrinating, and militarizing these children, Russia is preparing a generation of children for war with NATO. I’m proud to stand on the right side of history by fighting for their repatriation, which is a national security imperative — and a moral imperative.” -Rep. McCaul
Title LXXXVI, which deputizes state and local authorities to address drone threats at mass gatherings — one of the primary goals of McCaul’s “Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events.”
“As chairman of the special events task force, I have been laser-focused on the growing threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems. According to the NFL, there has been a 4,000% increase in drone sightings at stadiums in the past five years. This provision takes a major step toward securing our upcoming games by ensuring state and local law enforcement officers have the authorities needed to prevent drone attacks before they occur.” -Rep. McCaul
###