WASHINGTON — As the CU Daily often reports, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the kind of must-pass legislation that often becomes carrying horse for other legislation, with the CU trade groups both hopeful of attaching their own favored bills, as well as always vigilant for amendments they oppose, such as on credit card legislation. But it’s also a favorite place for members of Congress to score funding for their own districts.
In the current FY NDAA, House Republicans secured more than $1 billion in congressionally directed defense projects, while Democrats obtained more than $389 million in the House’s version of the bill, according to an analysis by Punchbowl News of publicly disclosed funding requests.
Punchbowl News reported that House leaders and committee chairs from both parties were among the biggest beneficiaries of the authorization bill. However, the projects ultimately depend on Congress approving appropriations bills, meaning none of the funding is guaranteed.
Lawmakers publicly disclosed their requests and certified they had no financial interest in the projects, although inclusion in the NDAA was not automatic, according to Punchbowl News.
The Largest Authorizations
Among the largest authorizations highlighted by Punchbowl News:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) secured authorization for $157 million to upgrade barracks at Fort Polk, La. The project was originally requested at $29 million before the Army increased the request through its unfunded priorities list.
- House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) won $53 millionfor an Army maintenance center in Anniston, Ala. Two additional projects he backed were authorized at roughly one-tenth of the amounts originally requested for design work.
- National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) obtained more than $140 million, including $65 million for an ammunition storage and supply facility at Fort Bragg and $69 million for a North Carolina Army National Guard maintenance hangar.
- Rep. John James (R-MI), who is running for governor of Michigan, secured nearly $290 million through eight separate authorizations for Selfridge Air National Guard Base, the largest total reported among House members.
- Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) received $86 million for projects intended to protect the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis from sea-level rise and increasingly severe rainfall.
- Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) secured $126 million to modernize infrastructure at Beale Air Force Base after seeking more than $182 million. According to Punchbowl News, the lawmakers argued many existing facilities date to the 1960s and no longer meet mission requirements.
Funds Must Still be Appropriated
Punchbowl News noted that while the NDAA authorizes the projects, Congress must still provide funding through the appropriations process before any money can be spent.
The House has already approved its FY2027 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, which includes funding for many military construction projects. However, according to Punchbowl News, lawmakers remain pessimistic about Congress completing the broader appropriations process before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.
