Rebuilding our military and defending the homeland

By U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin
R-Oklahoma

The men and women who serve in our armed forces are true patriots. Over 342 million Americans wake up each and every morning in a safe and peaceful nation because of our heroes in the military. Whether they are deployed abroad or supporting the mission here at home on American soil, I am forever grateful to them for answering the call to serve.

Throughout my time in the Senate, it has been a great privilege and honor to serve Oklahomans, and our nation, on the Senate Armed Services Committee. One of our paramount responsibilities is to support the mission through the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA restores lethality, reforms the Pentagon, and rebuilds our military.

With the 2026 NDAA and under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the United States will restore its dominance on the world stage. Our adversaries are relentless in their hatred of the freedom and prosperity you and I enjoy every day. That is why it is critical we lead from the front with peace through strength. Deter aggression and anyone who wishes to infringe upon our way of life. No longer are the days of uncertainty. Our enemies fear us and are running scared.

In its constant pursuit of excellence, the Department of War is prioritizing merit and rewarding performance. With support from the NDAA, our elite warfighters will have the weapons and the technology they need to carry out the mission. Technology is evolving, so too must our approach and investments. We will expand our industrial base through historic innovation. For too long taxpayer dollars have been thrown around without regard or intent. We are slashing red tape and cutting waste to prioritize the American warfighter.

Under this administration and this committee, we will regain our global defense manufacturing dominance. Oklahoma’s industrial base is a perfect example of what other states should emulate and the Department of War should prioritize when it comes to securing the homeland and rebuilding the arsenal. The 2026 NDAA, drastically expands Industrial Base Fund authorities to accelerate reindustrialization in America and regain global defense manufacturing dominance. The bill also authorizes roughly $850 million over the budget request in Military Construction for unfunded requirements to restore facilities at home and ensure force projection abroad is properly resourced, including $670.3M for projects in Oklahoma. These historic investments will restore our readiness.

The 2026 NDAA gives our troops the pay raise they deserve. Our service members and their families sacrifice a tremendous amount for our safety, they should be supported accordingly. We will also continue to set recruiting and retention records with strong investments in the next generation of warriors.

I’m honored to continue to support our warfighters and the mission to defend this nation.

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