Delivering for Hampton Roads: Rep. Kiggans Secures Major Wins for Servicemembers and Military Families in FY26 NDAA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced that the House Armed Services Committee completed its mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) last night, which includes several key provisions she championed to support servicemembers, modernize our fleet, and strengthen Hampton Roads’ role in national defense.

The House NDAA authorizes $882.6 billion in national defense funding, including a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers, $3.1 billion in advanced procurement for Virginia-class submarines, and over $18 billion authorized for military construction (MILCON), including $1.5B for barracks, housing, and childcare.

“This year’s NDAA delivers for our men and women in uniform and for the Hampton Roads region that supports them,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “From expanding shipbuilding capacity and protecting our defense supply chains to improving housing, healthcare, and support services for military families, I’m proud to have secured wins that reflect our region’s values and priorities.”

The FY26 NDAA includes numerous amendments and base text provisions led by Congresswoman Kiggans, including efforts to increase F-35C procurement and ensure transparency on future basing decisions, invest in workforce development for the maritime industrial base, and improve oversight of military housing conditions. The bill also advances her initiatives to increase TRICARE transparency for children’s hospitals, study the long-term effects of high-performance flying on pilots, and reduce risks from foreign-made technology in defense systems.

“As a Navy veteran, military spouse, and proud representative of one of the most military-heavy districts in the country, I will always fight to ensure our servicemembers have what they need to succeed—at home and abroad,” Kiggans added. “This bill strengthens our national defense while making real improvements to quality of life for those who serve.”

Key wins led or supported by Rep. Kiggans in the FY26 NDAA include:

Quality of Life for Servicemembers & Families

• Reduces TRICARE travel reimbursement mileage threshold from 100 to 50 miles
• Requires centralized licensure verification for military healthcare providers
• Expands commissary and MWR access to civil service mariners
• Directs a study on long-term brain injury risks from high-performance military flying

Military Recruitment, Retention & Pathways

• Requires schools to allow access to military recruiters and expands JROTC availability
• Creates new DoD/industry pathways for medically disqualified applicants
• Prohibits disqualification from service based solely on resolved childhood medical diagnoses

Fleet Modernization & Infrastructure

• Increases F-35C procurement and ensure transparency on future basing decisions
• Funds $13 billion for shipbuilding and $1.6 billion for aircraft carriers under construction
• Directs DoD to evaluate portable nuclear energy options for deployed forces

Shipbuilding & Maritime Industrial Base

• Directs a DoD study on shipyard workforce housing options
• Expands ship repair timelines to support Hampton Roads yards
• Adds maritime industrial base review to the Navy Commission’s scope

Countering China & Safeguarding Technology

• Expands DoD scholarship oversight in national security fields, with focus on biotech gaps
• Funds $1 billion for Taiwan Security Cooperation and $300M/year for Ukraine assistance