Moolenaar: NDAA Raises Military Pay, Protects America, and Deters China

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the Select Committee on China voted for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 when it passed the House of Representatives. The legislation sets military policy and priorities for the coming year, including a 3.8% pay raise for members of the military and benefits for their families. The legislation also includes a number of provisions led by Chairman Moolenaar and Select Committee members that strengthen America against the threat of the Chinese Communist Party and its ongoing efforts to undermine the United States.

“The National Defense Authorization Act is vital to support our brave men and women in uniform, and it improves their quality of life with a well-deserved pay raise and benefits for their families. This legislation ensures our military remains the strongest fighting force in the world and builds peace through strength to deter our adversaries," said Moolenaar.

"The bill includes several of my amendments that will help protect our country from the Chinese Communist Party, including the SAFE Research Act, which will stop federal STEM funding from going to universities or researchers that collaborate with China's military and intelligence services. The bill also includes my bipartisan amendment requiring the Department to assess the national security implications of AI and our positioning relative to China in this increasingly critical competition. I am thankful to Chairman Rogers for including these amendments, along with many of those from my colleagues on the Select Committee. This legislation plays a critical role in advancing American national security in the face of threats from the CCP,” added Moolenaar.

The bill includes key provisions championed by Chairman Moolenaar and Select Committee Republican members, such as:

Enhancing Security in the Indo-Pacific

• Expands the critical Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative by authorizing up to $1 billion in FY26 security assistance for Taiwan.
• Requires a strategy to counter PRC arms sales.
• Establishes a strategic defense technology partnership between the rapid acquisition offices of DoD and Taiwan.
• Expands reporting on Taiwan’s military readiness, and U.S.-allied contingency planning.
• Requires a report on NATO and EU contributions to security in the Indo-Pacific

Advancing Federal Research Security, Technology, and Innovation

• Prohibits federal research awards to individuals who partner or are affiliated with hostile foreign entities, DoD funding to any university that partners with a hostile foreign entity, and requires disclosure of ties to foreign adversary entities, funding, or activities.
• Directs DoD to establish an initiative to fully harness advanced AI, modernize adoption plans, and analyze the relative capabilities of the U.S. and PRC in advanced AI.
• Builds on FY 25 NDAA language by expanding restrictions on foreign adversary unmanned aerial systems operating in the U.S.
• Authorizes $5 million for Smart Susceptor Technology.

Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Security

• Directs DoD to establish and maintain a prioritized list of high-risk DoD critical infrastructure dependent on materials or components from foreign adversaries like China.
• Directs a report and recommendations surrounding the establishment of a Strategic Spaceport Program, designed to replicate support provided through the Strategic Seaport Program.
• Establishes a National Defense Industrial Resilience Consortium to address industrial base challenges and strengthen resiliency.
• Directs the creation of a working group within the National Defense Industrial Resilience Consortium to review and improve DoD policies for qualifying, accepting, and managing supply chains through advanced manufacturing.
• Strengthens prohibitions from the FY 24 NDAA on DoD from acquiring advanced batteries—or systems that utilize them—from foreign entities of concern.
• Tasks DoD to identify regulatory or policy barriers inhibiting the expansion of surge capacity in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
• Directs the National Commission on the Future of the Navy to study the condition of the United States maritime industrial base, including the capacity of the maritime industrial base to meet national defense requirements and support naval recapitalization.
• Requires the Defense Health Agency to conduct a supply chain risk assessment for critical medical products that rely on Chinese components.