U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Peoria, got over 30 amendments added to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which he said will benefit Arizonans.
The NDAA determines the Department of Defense’s annual budget, which congressional members decipher. The fiscal year 2026 budget is $925 million. The House Armed Services Committee, on which Hamadeh sits, debated for almost 14 hours to pass its draft of the NDAA.
The Senate Armed Services Committee also passed its draft of the bill. Both drafts will be voted on in their respective chamber.
To determine amendments to the NDAA, Hamadeh said he talked to Arizona service members, veterans, commanders, small businesses and his colleagues.
The first-year representative said he was grateful to all the people who shared their input and support.
“My constituents and American voices are being heard on the issues that these amendments address to make sure that we are spending the taxpayers’ money carefully and in a way that addresses the critical national defense and quality of life issues of today and tomorrow,” he said.
On the national level, Hamadeh helped secure the addition of six amendments to the NDAA. These amendments ranged from allowing DOD workers to fly with more pets to speeding up the application for security clearances and extending a program that helps fight the Islamic State group's resurgence in the Middle East.
