WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced the House passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), bipartisan legislation that strengthens military readiness, bolsters defense manufacturing, and improves access to healthcare and housing for our servicemembers and their families.

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “Supporting the men and women who wear the uniform has been one of my top priorities since coming to Congress in 2023, and that means ensuring they have the resources and tools they need to succeed. At $1.1 trillion, this year’s NDAA is the largest national defense investment in American history and while there’s always more work to be done, this bill supports the warfighter and ensures America remains the strongest military force in the world.”

The FY27 NDAA makes targeted investments and quality of life improvements in the areas that impact our men and women in uniform every day. This includes a 5-7% pay raise for junior-enlisted servicemembers, $1.8 billion for new construction of barracks and housing, and more than $226 million to design and build new childcare centers for military families. The bill also includes several provisions led by Rep. Kiggans, including a directive for the Department of War to conduct comprehensive studies on the long-term neurological effects of military aviation, as outlined in her Warrior Impact from Neurological and G-Force Stress (WINGS) Act. It also advances her initiatives to provide multi-year procurement authority for the F-35C, improves TRICARE transparency and restore pharmacy choice for beneficiaries, and strengthens workforce development programs for transitioning servicemembers.

“As a Navy veteran, Navy wife, and Mom to a future Navy veteran, I know firsthand that taking care of our servicemembers is crucial to strengthening recruitment, retention, and readiness. Our men and women in uniform need to know that we have their backs, whether at home or abroad,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “My colleagues and I delivered a bill that not only puts our military personnel first, but also rebuilds depleted munitions stocks, harnesses emerging technologies, and strengthens our defense industrial base while bolstering domestic manufacturing.”

The NDAA makes historic investments to expand America’s shipbuilding capacity, strengthen the defense industrial base, and sustain the highly skilled workforce that powers Hampton Roads. The legislation authorizes over $60.4 billion including $15.1 billion for Columbia-class submarines and $12.5 billion for Virginia-class submarines to support Hampton Roads’ shipbuilding workforce. It also provides $8.5 billion for the aircraft carrier enterprise and $6.4 billion for amphibious warships, reinforcing Virginia’s leadership in naval readiness and ensuring the Navy has the platforms needed to meet evolving global threats. 

Read Congresswoman Kiggans’ remarks from the House Floor:

As a Navy veteran, former helicopter pilot, Navy spouse, and Navy mom, I know our military is only as strong as the men and women who serve. This bill puts our warfighters first by supporting a pay raise of up to 7 percent and providing them with the training, equipment, and resources they need to fight, win, and return home safely. 

It strengthens American airpower, rebuilds our munitions stockpiles, advances unmanned and next-generation technologies, and invests in the ships our Navy needs.

It also supports American shipbuilders, ship-repair professionals, aviators, and defense workers who keep our fleet at sea and our aircraft in the sky.

I am proud that my provisions will accelerate the development of American-made unmanned surface vessels and bring greater transparency to TRICARE while protecting pharmacy choice.

This bill delivers peace through strength—for our military, our families, and Hampton Roads.

Read the bill here.

Read the one-pager here.

The FY27 NDAA will now move to conference negotiations with the Senate.

Background:

Finally, the bill also includes the SAVE America Act, legislation that the Congresswoman has previously voted for on multiple occasions and would require a photo ID to vote and proof of citizenship to register to vote. 

“Participation in the democratic process is one of the greatest rights afforded by our Constitution, and a right reserved only for U.S. citizens,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “Protecting voter integrity and preserving transparency in our election system isn’t a partisan issue, but a matter of national security.” 

In June 2026, Rep. Kiggans announced the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act.

Read her press release here.