In a significant step towards enhancing national security, the Senate has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes major endorsements from Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet.
As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Bennet was instrumental in securing a variety of provisions aimed at bolstering military capabilities and strengthening U.S. alliances around the globe.
The NDAA centers around several crucial initiatives that aim to address the threats posed by adversarial nations such as China and Russia.
“This bipartisan legislation will bolster U.S. national security by investing in our military and its personnel, our cutting-edge defense industry, and our alliances and partnerships,” remarked Bennet.
He emphasized the urgent need for swift passage of the legislation through both the Senate and House, highlighting that the challenges posed by malign actors necessitate immediate attention and action.
Among the key investments secured for Colorado are substantial funding increases towards military bases and local defense industries.
A notable highlight includes a 3.8% pay raise for all servicemembers, thus affirming a commitment to better compensate those serving in the armed forces.
Bennet also achieved a financial boost of $60 million for the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program, which is designed for the rapid launch and operation of satellites to counter threats effectively.
Furthermore, the bill provides full funding of $106 million aimed at the Rapid Resilient Command and Control initiative, which seeks to modernize military satellite operations.
In terms of international strategy, Bennet, alongside Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, has emphasized the importance of bolstering the United States’ presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
This includes requiring the Secretary of Defense to establish a comprehensive strategy to deter aggression from China alongside critical partners such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Moreover, Bennet has co-authored legislation aimed at strengthening the AUKUS partnership—which involves the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom—by streamlining collaboration in defense manufacturing and co-producing Virginia-class submarines.
Bennet’s efforts also extend to curbing American investments in advanced technologies within China, working alongside Senator John Cornyn and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto to ensure U.S. national security is safeguarded against potential military applications of technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced semiconductors.
The senator additionally participated in initiatives to enhance security collaboration with Baltic allies amid ongoing threats from Russia.
He collaborated with Senator Dick Durbin on the Baltic Security Initiative, which aims at fortifying security partnerships with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, particularly following rising tensions within the region.
Bennet’s efforts in countering not just military threats but also collaboration between adversarial nations are outlined in the DISRUPT Act, which encompasses strategies to address cooperation among Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran.
As the legislation unfolded, a key amendment secured by Bennet ensures the National Guard will retain reimbursement funds post-state missions, a significant step to maintain readiness and equipment functionality for state and national emergencies.
The inclusion of the ROAD to Housing Act, collaborated with Senator Cortez Masto, marks a historical moment as it is the first housing bill to progress out of committee in over a decade, aimed at modernizing federal housing programs and breaking down regulatory hurdles.
Further reflecting the humanitarian angle, Bennet supported an amendment that calls for the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to assist Ukraine in locating these children and ensuring their safe return.
In another strategic move, Bennet joined colleagues in requiring the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to draft a response strategy to counter China’s global military ambitions, particularly as Beijing seeks to establish new military bases worldwide, including in the Western Hemisphere.
Furthermore, upon reviewing the Senate NDAA report, crucial language was integrated to enhance Indo-Pacific space cooperation amid rising threats in that domain.
In collaboration with Senator Kevin Cramer, Bennet ensured that Congress would be briefed on coordination efforts regarding space s with allies like Japan, South Korea, and Australia, highlighting the significance of collective security in space.
Addressing regional instability, Bennet co-authored language focusing on security cooperation with Guyana, amidst increasing aggression from Venezuela, vital for supporting U.S. interests in the region.
Bennet’s thoughtful approach extends to evaluations of threats from Russia within NATO, where a requirement is set for the Secretary of Defense to assess such grayzone activities, enabling informed international defense strategies.
The Senate’s NDAA also encapsulates key provisions from the Intelligence Authorization Act, highlighting Bennet’s extensive involvement in legislative efforts aimed at enhancing national security.
As legislative sessions move forward, both the Senate and House must now work together to reconcile their versions of the NDAA.
Senator Bennet remains committed to ensuring that Colorado’s priorities are effectively represented in the final bill, aiming for continued national security advancements and support for local defense industries.
With the passage of this NDAA, the U.S. takes a tangible step to fortify its military readiness and secure its global standing in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
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