Des Moines Sun

The Senate has approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026, with a vote of 77-20. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) welcomed the passage, noting that the legislation includes several provisions he supported and a 3.8 percent pay raise for military service members. The bill now moves to a conference between the House and Senate to finalize its terms before being sent to the president.

Grassley stated, "The federal government’s number one responsibility is to look after the safety and security of this country. I’m glad this legislation passed the Senate with broad, bipartisan support, and I was proud to secure multiple provisions to support Iowa and invest in our state’s military installations." He added, "While this legislation sets the Defense Department up for success next year, our military service members are sadly working without pay today because Democrats have shut down the government and are holding government funding hostage for unrelated policy demands. I’m once again calling on more of my Democrat colleagues to join the three conscientious members of their party and end their partisan obstruction and join with Republicans to support a continuation of government. Our brave men and women in uniform shouldn’t have to suffer as a result of Democrats’ senseless political tactics."

Provisions secured by Grassley include federal funding authorizations for military projects in Iowa: $148 million for the 185th Air Refueling Wing at Sioux Gateway Airport, $13.8 million for a vehicle maintenance shop at Waterloo Armory, and $8.5 million for corrosion control research supporting work at the University of Northern Iowa under the STAR4D program. The NDAA also includes measures to support Rock Island Arsenal through a pilot program encouraging public-private partnerships to sustain workloads.

Other measures address defense contractor price transparency and allow the three Baltic countries to share U.S.-purchased High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and ammunition. Grassley also advanced two pieces of legislation related to Ukraine and Baltic security: the Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act, which aims to help Ukraine investigate and track children abducted during Russia’s invasion, and the Baltic Security Initiative Act to strengthen U.S. cooperation with Baltic nations.

The NDAA includes a provision to clarify requirements under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), defining what informational materials must be labeled and filed with the Department of Justice.

In his role as Senate Judiciary Chairman, Grassley secured six bipartisan law enforcement bills within the NDAA. These include protections against accidental exposure for first responders, support for retired law enforcement officers returning to service, expanded mental health resources for officers, recruitment initiatives, efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation, and expanded federal support for families of first responders affected by service-related cancers.