Both West Virginia Republican senators, Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, voted late Thursday to pass the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, a bipartisan measure that authorizes $924.7 billion for national defense, an increase of more than $30 billion over the president’s budget request.

The bill, which passed the Senate 77-22 and now heads to the House, supports service members and their families, strengthens military readiness and enhances national security, proponents say.

Capito said several provisions she championed were included in the legislation and are expected to benefit West Virginia.

“Ensuring our service members have the tools they need to carry out their missions is one of Congress’ most significant responsibilities,” Capito said. “This legislation supports our troops and their families, reforms antiquated processes at the Pentagon, and makes much-needed strides in reinvigorating our defense industrial base.

“I was proud to once again secure the inclusion of provisions that support West Virginia’s role in our national defense, and to work with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this incredibly important legislation, as we have for decades.”

Added Justice: “We always need to have the backs of our troops: plain and simple. The NDAA supports our troops and their families, strengthens our readiness, and ensures our military remains the most effective fighting force in the world.

“My vote to pass the NDAA isn’t just a vote — it represents my commitment to the men and women in uniform who keep our country safe.”

The NDAA authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for service members and requires a plan to implement critical munitions requirements. It also includes numerous provisions to improve efficiency and support audit efforts at the Pentagon.

Provisions included in the NDAA that specifically benefit West Virginia are:

  • Authorization for the Pentagon to officially establish and maintain an “Irregular Warfare Exercise Laboratory,” also known as the Ridge Runner military exercise, led by the West Virginia National Guard.
  • Establishment in law of the soldier-inspired innovation program, Catalyst Pathfinder, which was created in West Virginia to accelerate Army technological innovation.
  • A requirement for the Navy to take action in planning for newer, more effective waterborne security barriers, which are manufactured in Wyoming County.
  • Direction to the Pentagon to address shortfalls in the production of critical chemicals required for the production of munitions, which are produced in West Virginia.
  • Authorization of funding for the design of a new Squadron Operations Facility at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston to support the base’s C-130J mission.
  • Language encouraging the Pentagon to invest in the design and planning of updates to deep space radio telescopes such as the Next-Generation VLA and the Green Bank Telescope.
  • Language encouraging continued investments in the domestic supply for strategic minerals and materials, including graphite, which is produced in West Virginia.