WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed final passage of the annual defense policy bill, authorizing critical resources for national defense and military readiness. The legislation now heads to the president’s desk. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 includes several Grassley-backed provisions and was approved by a vote of 77-20.

Grassley on Monday voted to end debate on the legislation and advance to a final vote on the bill. He missed today’s final vote while attending a solemn ceremony at Dover Air Force Base to receive the remains of two fallen Iowa National Guard members: Sgt. William Nathaniel “Nate” Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines.

“Today, Congress sent President Trump a robust defense package that prioritizes our service members and ensures American dominance on the world stage. I’m pleased several of my provisions were included in the final bill, like authorizing funding for Iowa’s military installations, improved oversight of Defense Department spending and support for key programs to help law enforcement officers,” Grassley said.

“We strongly support the inclusion of several critical public safety provisions in the compromise Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). These measures directly confront real threats, close longstanding operational gaps, support our nation’s first responders, and will make communities across the United States safer … We appreciate your efforts to respond to the needs of public safety agencies and the attention given to these urgent issues. We stand ready to support you as Congress advances the NDAA and as these new authorities and programs are implemented to protect the public and the officers who serve them,” said representatives from 16 major law enforcement groups.

The bill authorizes a 3.8% pay raise for military service members, as well as:

  • $161 billion for procurement including missiles, combat vehicles, and aircraft;
  • $26 billion for shipbuilding; and
  • $25 billion for munitions.

Grassley secured the following priorities in the FY26 NDAA:

  • Authorization of federal funds to support Iowa’s military installations:
  • $220 million for projects at the 185th Air Refueling Wing/Sioux Gateway Airport, including aircraft parking apron, extended runway, runway repair and warm-up/holding pad;
  • $13.8 million for the vehicle maintenance shop at the Waterloo Armory (Army National Guard);
  • Provisions to bolster the Rock Island Arsenal through a pilot program on arsenal workload sustainment, encouraging public-private partnerships to increase minimum workloads at domestic arsenals like Rock Island;
  • The Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act, cosponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), to support Ukraine’s efforts to investigate and track the nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during Putin’s brutal invasion. The legislation will also assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who are returned and provide justice and accountability for perpetrators of these abductions; and
  • The Baltic Security Initiative Act, cosponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), to enhance and strengthen U.S. security cooperation with the Baltics amid Putin’s aggressive action in the region. The legislation effectively codifies the Baltic Security Initiative effort.

Grassley secured key wins in his capacity as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, including U.S. Marshal and police protection for retired Supreme Court Justices.

The NDAA includes four bipartisan law enforcement bills, which passed out of the Judiciary Committee during Police Week in May:

  • The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act to aid state and local law enforcement agencies in combating child sexual exploitation online. This bill was previously blocked by Senate Democrats who were seeking to funnel federal dollars to dangerous sanctuary cities.
  • The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act to expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers.
  • The Improving Police CARE Act to equip law enforcement officers with quality trauma kits, allowing them to respond immediately if a civilian or fellow officer experiences a traumatic injury during a call.
  • The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to ensure families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits.

The NDAA also includes expanded counter-drone authorities for state, local and territorial law enforcement agencies to help mitigate threats posed by drones. This provision was based off Grassley and Sen. Gary Peters’ (D-Mich.) bipartisan SAFER SKIES Act. Under Grassley’s leadership, the Judiciary Committee this year has held two hearings on drones and their potential threats to public safety.

-30-