December 10, 2025 For Immediate Release Contact: Caroline French, (202) 225-2731
House Passes FY26 NDAA with Lumbee Fairness Act, North Carolina Priorities Included
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, with strong support from Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07), the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House amended S.1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This negotiated legislation authorizes critical funding and resources for the Department of War and advances key priorities for North Carolina and the country.
The FY26 NDAA strengthens national defense and supports strong border security, while improving the lives of servicemembers and their families. Importantly, the bill also includes the Lumbee Fairness Act, granting long-overdue full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. The passage of the FY26 NDAA underscores Congress’s commitment to national defense and economic growth across the country.
“This NDAA delivers for our servicemembers, strengthens our national security, and ensures North Carolina’s priorities are represented,” said Congressman Rouzer. “From full federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, to investing in strategic infrastructure, this legislation makes our nation stronger and more competitive.”
Key highlights include:
Enhanced Border Security:Provides funding and new authorities to the Department of War to assist the DHS in securing America’s borders.
Taxpayer Savings: Eliminates $20 billion in wasteful federal spending.
Military Pay Increase: Delivers a 3.8% quality-of-life pay raise for servicemembers, improving benefits and support for military families.
Strategic Investments: Funding projects of national, regional, and local significance to strengthen global competitiveness.
Legislation introduced by Congressman Rouzer included in the package:
H.R. 474 – Lumbee Fairness Act: Granting full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, advancing long-overdue fairness and opportunity.
H.R. 6410 – Atlantic Coast Shipping Safety Act: Provides long-overdue certainty for maritime vessels operating along the Atlantic Coast and safeguards port communities.
H.R. 5157 – Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act: Amends the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act aligning timelines of multiple advanced manufacturing initiatives from every four years to the same cycle.
The House passed the FY26 NDAA, now S.1071, heads back to the Senate with inclusion of the amendment for final approval. Once both chambers agree on identical text, FY26 NDAA will head to the President’s desk for signature into law.
