Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, has secured several provisions in the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, which was passed by the committee on Wednesday, is now awaiting consideration on the Senate floor.

“During this time of global unrest – where we see Iran edging closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, China accelerating its military buildup in the Indo-Pacific, and Russia continuing its war against Ukraine – it is more important than ever that we invest in our service members, protect defense spectrum, drive innovation, and strengthen our missile defense systems. I’m proud the FY 2026 NDAA meets this moment with key provisions I pushed for to modernize our nuclear deterrent and strengthen our national defense,” Fischer said.

The provisions Fischer advanced include measures aimed at supporting service members. The bill authorizes $19 million above the president’s budget request for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), which works to recover and identify remains of fallen servicemembers from past conflicts. It also directs the Department of Defense to assess a program modeled after Fischer’s CHIP IN For Veterans Act that would allow local communities to contribute to healthcare facility development. Additionally, it expands DPAA's ability to procure foreign goods and services for overseas recovery missions and reforms funding for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration, and Modernization projects by extending authorization from one year to three years.

For nuclear deterrence modernization, Fischer secured an annual independent assessment of National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) infrastructure progress. The bill extends experimentation authority to all combatant commands including U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), requires fielding of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program by September 30, 2033, makes permanent the requirement to deploy at least 400 ICBMs across no fewer than 450 launch facilities, and accelerates development of the Nuclear Sea-Launch Cruise Missile program by two years.

Other measures include codifying requirements for deep cleaning ICBM launch control centers every five years; adding air and missile defense interceptors to DoD munitions requirements; directing a briefing on sustaining Minuteman III operations until Sentinel deployment; establishing an NNSA Office of Rapid Capabilities Development; directing a study on heavy launch site viability at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg; authorizing over $4 billion for Sentinel program investments; $186 million for NNSA SLCM-N warhead development; and $320 million for Navy SLCM development.

On protecting defense spectrum, Fischer’s provisions prohibit modifications to Department of Defense systems in certain spectrum bands without certification from top Pentagon officials. STRATCOM’s Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations office is designated as lead entity for testing Dynamic Spectrum Sharing technologies.

Additional measures require briefings on implementation progress of the National Disaster Medical System pilot program and reports on modernization efforts within the 557th Weather Wing—including cloud migration and AI readiness—as well as clarifying its support authorities for intelligence agencies.

The NDAA also includes language prohibiting funding for entertainment projects linked to China’s government or Communist Party.