Representative Jeff Crank of Colorado’s 5th District voted in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), according to a statement released from his office. The NDAA aims to reform the nation’s acquisition system, strengthen the defense industrial base, and enhance military readiness.
“Our military must remain the most lethal in the world,” said Rep. Crank. “The National Defense Authorization Act will work to build the fighting force of the future by prioritizing innovation, lethality and readiness. It also ensures we push forth President Trump’s Golden Dome for America, advance Peace through Strength, and improve our servicemembers quality of life by increasing pay for our troops.”
Key provisions that Rep. Crank highlighted include closing loopholes related to past security incidents, supporting supply chain efficiency tools developed in El Paso County, and improving collaboration between the Department of Defense and industry on command and control systems. The bill also supports strategic redundancies for satellite communications and advances space system development in Colorado.
Other measures in the NDAA protect Fort Carson’s aviation battalion, accelerate construction of secure facilities (SCIF spaces), address wildfire risks at the Air Force Academy, and direct updates to U.S. Space Force infrastructure. The legislation provides a 3.8% pay raise for service members, funds improvements to on-base housing, authorizes more resources for local space data programs, and expands research into Arctic weather combat care in Colorado.
Additional provisions include expanding childcare assistance pilot programs, increasing parental leave flexibility for service members, requiring annual inspections of privatized military housing by qualified inspectors, saving $20 billion through reduced spending, fully funding DOW audits with increased oversight, prohibiting men from competing in women’s sports at service academies, and supporting counter-drone testing initiatives.
Rep. Crank emphasized that these measures are intended to benefit both national security interests and local communities such as El Paso County.
