Congressman Burgess Owens, who represents Utah’s 4th district in the U.S. Congress, announced his support for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 after voting to pass the legislation. Owens has served in Congress since 2021, succeeding Ben McAdams.
In a statement, Rep. Owens said, “The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act puts Utah and America First. From fully funding the F-35 and Sentinel missile programs at Hill Air Force Base to revitalizing our state’s depot maintenance capacity, advanced manufacturing and supply chains, the NDAA ensures Utah continues to be a cornerstone of U.S. national defense and strategic deterrence. At the same time, it delivers for America’s troops, making sure our servicemembers and their families have the pay, benefits, and tools they need to keep America safe and secure. Under President Trump, peace through strength is back, and I was proud to help support this victory for Utah families, America’s warfighters, and the security of our nation.”
The NDAA authorizes $892.6 billion for national defense discretionary programs in line with President Trump’s budget request. It includes $142.6 billion for research and development in areas such as artificial intelligence, hypersonics, quantum computing, autonomous systems, directed energy, and space capabilities.
More than $15 billion is allocated to munitions investment to restore U.S. military stockpiles. The act also provides a 3.8% pay raise for servicemembers along with reauthorization of bonuses and special pay.
Funding for servicemember quality of life initiatives includes $1.4 billion for new barracks and family housing; $361 million for new childcare centers; $147 million for new schools serving military children; expanded bereavement and convalescent leave; improved access to healthcare; mental health services; and dental care.
Acquisition reforms are intended to reduce procurement timelines from nearly three years to as few as 90 days while cutting red tape and accelerating adoption of commercial innovations.
For border security efforts, the NDAA fully funds National Guard and active-duty troop support for Customs and Border Protection operations. It also provides $900 million to combat drug trafficking—$398 million designated for Department of Defense counter-narcotics operations and $116 million for National Guard programs.
The bill projects over $20 billion in savings through various measures including reforms initiated by DOGE ($15 billion), reductions in climate programs ($1.6 billion), cuts in bureaucracy ($6.8 billion), and eliminating inefficient programs ($5 billion).
All diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) programs at the Department of Defense are eliminated under this bill; it prohibits critical race theory (CRT), ends affirmative action at service academies, and requires merit-based promotions.
Strategic deterrence measures include full funding for missile defense systems, nuclear modernization efforts, and the Golden Dome initiative.
To address challenges posed by China, the NDAA extends the Pacific Deterrence Initiative; funds a $1 billion Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative; prohibits Department of Defense reliance on Chinese supply chains; fully funds joint U.S.–Israel missile defense programs; adds $70 million toward counter-unmanned aerial system cooperation with Israel; and allocates $50 million toward anti-tunnel initiatives.
Specific provisions affecting Utah include full funding for F-35 Joint Strike Fighters as well as Sentinel missile program activities at Hill Air Force Base—supporting its workforce’s role in national nuclear deterrence strategies—and language directing a study on alternative Basic Allowance for Housing calculations due to rising living costs on Utah’s Wasatch Front.
An amendment introduced by Rep. Owens was included in the final bill supporting Utah-based efforts aimed at improving data network interoperability among Army aviation platforms.
The act also contains reforms designed to revitalize domestic manufacturing sectors important to Utah’s economy—including depot maintenance facilities—and invests further in housing improvements along with healthcare and childcare support benefiting military families across the state.
Burgess Owens was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1951 before moving to Salt Lake City where he currently resides.He graduated from the University of Miami with a BS degree in 1974.He has represented Utah’s 4th District since 2021.
