House Passes Annual Defense Bill with Representative Dusty Johnson's Priorities
- Steve Jurrens
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
Northeast News SD – South Dakota - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual defense bill that includes several priorities championed by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.). The legislation focuses on strengthening military capabilities, providing funding for key defense projects in South Dakota, and addressing several social and political issues within the Department of Defense (DoD).
The bill, described by its supporters a
s "Peace through Strength," provides substantial funding for military programs. Among Johnson's specific priorities included in the package are $3.45 billion for the procurement of B-21 aircraft and $378 million for military construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base. Additionally, the legislation allocates $28 million for the National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Shop at the Watertown Complex.
In a statement, Rep. Johnson said, “America’s military should be the strongest, most prepared fighting force in the world. This defense package makes sure our servicemembers have what they need, when they need it.” He added that the bill "prioritizes made-in-America equipment" and ensures the military will "deliver peace through strength.”
Beyond funding, the NDAA includes several provisions backed by Johnson regarding military policy and training. These measures include a provision to prohibit biological males from competing in women's sports at military service academies and an initiative to strengthen deterrence against China by supporting defense cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The bill also authorizes $35 million in Impact Aid assistance, raises servicemember pay by 3.8%, and includes measures to improve benefits for military families. Other provisions in the legislation are aimed at fighting drug trafficking, cutting more than $1 billion from Green New Deal programs at the DoD, and eliminating $115 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The bill also prohibits funding for the teaching or promotion of Critical Race Theory within the military. Overall, the package provides $20 billion in savings.
For a detailed, official look at the legislation itself, you can access the full text and a summary of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 on the U.S. Library of Congress website.
The Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives provides a record of all votes and legislative actions. You can find the specific roll call vote for the NDAA's passage on this site.
