Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, has announced the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 by the committee. This marks the 11th NDAA that Rounds has contributed to as a member of the committee. The bill is now set to be considered by the full Senate.

"The NDAA is a critical piece of legislation passed each year which authorizes funding for our national security, as well as our servicemembers and their families," said Rounds. He highlighted several key wins for South Dakota, including $378 million for construction projects at Ellsworth Air Force Base in preparation for the B-21 aircraft, $28 million for Watertown Army National Guard vehicle maintenance facility, and $3.4 billion allocated for procurement of B-21 aircraft. The act also supports a 3.8 percent pay raise for military members.

Rounds emphasized his commitment to ensuring that U.S. military personnel have an advantage over adversaries: "I made a pledge that I would do everything in my power to make certain our men and women in uniform never enter a fair fight." He expressed eagerness to work with other senators to pass this legislation into law.

The NDAA includes provisions fully authorizing the B-21 Raider program with significant funding allocations and supporting infrastructure projects at Ellsworth Air Force Base. It also establishes programs aimed at strengthening cybersecurity capabilities within the Department of Defense.

In March, Rounds was recognized as one of the most effective members of Congress on defense and national security issues during this term.

###