Baird Applauds Passage of Defense Act

 Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) applauded the passage of H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (SPEED Act and FY26 NDAA). This legislation included an amendment submitted by Congressman Baird to require the U.S. Secretary of Defense to brief the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on the feasibility of using pulsed lasers.

“I was proud to vote for this year’s NDAA to codify President Trump’s peace through strength agenda and improve the quality of life for our service members and their families,” said Congressman Baird. “This bill provides our troops with a well-deserved pay raise and enhanced benefits for our military families. This year’s NDAA supports the Department of Defense’s border security operations and removes woke, DEI policies from our military so our troops can focus on becoming the most capable, ready, and lethal fighting force the world has ever seen. I also want to thank Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and Chairman Mike Rogers for including my amendment on assessing pulsed laser capabilities in this year’s bill. As a decorated combat veteran, I am proud to help advance this bill to strengthen our national defense and provide service members with the tools they need to successfully complete their missions and defend our country.”

Additional Background on H.R. 3838:

• Eliminates statutory provisions relating to DEI in the Department of Defense.
• Fully funds and provides additional authorities to DoD to support DHS border security efforts.
• Fundamentally reforms the DoD acquisition process speeding up the delivery of innovative new technologies to the warfighter.
• Provides servicemembers with a 3.8% pay raise and improved benefits for military families.
• Authorizes full funding for the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems.
• Includes new authorities to support President Trump’s effort to force our allies to pay more for their own defense.
• Provides over $20 billion in savings, including $15 billion from DOGE-initiated reforms assumed in President Trump’s budget request.
• Codifies President Trump’s Executive Order to promote energy independence and utilize new nuclear power technologies.