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Congressional leaders last week completed much of their work on settling differences between House and Senate versions of the annual must-pass defense-policy bill.
NGAUS has learned the compromise fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act will likely be unveiled early next week and then sent to the two chambers for final consideration.
The National Guard has a lot riding on the outcome of the negotiations, with favorable language in one chamber’s version of legislation and not in the other’s.
Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn, the NGAUS president, sent a letter last week to the chairmen and ranking members of the House and Senate Armed Services committees outlining the provisions that would improve Guard “warfighting readiness.”
The association’s preferences include a House provision that would direct the Air Force to detail its plans for the recapitalization of the Air Guard fighter fleet.
Without replacement, 11 of the now 24 Air Guard fighter squadrons are at risk of losing their airframes and flying missions in the next five years.
Fighter recapitalization is a NGAUS legislative priority.
Another provision on the House bill would provide zero-cost dental care for all Guardsmen and Reservists.
Meanwhile, language only in the Senate bill would send state payments to use Guard equipment during state active duty to the National Guard Bureau instead of the U.S. Treasury.
That way, the funds have a better chance of reaching the affected units and covering the costs to repair and maintain equipment used in a state mission.
The Senate version also has a provision requiring the Pentagon to report on Guard and Reserve integration into cyber missions and operations.
Washington Report will detail the compromise fiscal 2026 when it becomes available.
—By John Goheen
