WASHINGTON, D.C.-- U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), released the below statement upon the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passing out of committee last night by a vote of 55-2. The NDAA sets Department of Defense (DoD) policies and authorizes funding levels for defense programs. 

"Georgia's military installations play a key role in implementing President Donald Trump’s strategy of Peace Through Strength," Rep. Scott said. "The FY26 NDAA strengthens the U.S. military and enhances the quality of life for our warfighters and their families. I am proud to have several amendments included that support our military in their mission of defending the United States." 

“Congressman Austin Scott has been a steadfast voice for our servicemembers and their families as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. In the FY26 NDAA, his leadership ensures our warfighters—especially those serving at Robins and Moody Air Force Bases and the more than 20,000 reservists and guardsmen across Georgia—have the resources and support they need to defend our nation. Congressman Scott is always fighting to take care of the men and women who wear the uniform, said Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03).

Rep. Scott had 18 amendments adopted during the HASC markup of the FY26 NDAA and another 10 were included in the base text of the bill. Some of the bill language provisions authored by Rep. Scott include: 

PROVIDING FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS AT ROBINS:

The Chairman’s mark of the FY 26 NDAA contained two provisions that were championed by Rep. Scott throughout the drafting of this bill. 

First, Section 1102 of the bill would allow for retired members of the Armed Forces to be appointed to competitive or excepted service positions in the Department of Defense without a waiver. This will allow more retired military personnel to continue to serve our country as civilians at Robins Air Force Base.

Furthermore, included in the bill was an extension of the authority for depot working capital funds, like Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC), to be used for unspecified minor military construction from September 30, 2025 to September 30, 2027. This will enable WR-ALC to continue to modernize their facilities. 

“Once again Congressman Scott delivers for Robins AFB! These two provisions are critical to ensure access to talent and to shore up aging infrastructure for the missions at Robins,” said Retired Brig Gen John Kubinec, President and CEO of the 21st Century Partnership. 

SUPPORTING MISSIONS AT MOODY:

Rep. Scott authored an amendment to delay the full retirement of the A-10C “Warthog” aircraft, several dozen of which are based at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA. The Scott amendment requires the Air Force to maintain a minimum of 96 A-10 aircraft in FY 26. The A-10C provides close air support and combat search-and-rescue capabilities unmatched by any other aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory.

“Prematurely retiring the A-10 would create a combat readiness gap in the timeline for replacement of A-10s with the F-35s. This premature retirement also impacts operational continuity of all the AIRMEN who will be involved in transitioning to the F-35. Congressman Austin Scott’s amendment minimizes operational risk and ensures a safe, timely and effective transition from the A-10 to the F-35 for AIRMEN and our Air Force,” Dr. Lucy R. Greene, PhD., Community Supporter and Emeritus Member of the Air Combat Command Commanders Group.

Also included was an amendment sponsored by Rep. Scott that would extend the intergovernmental support agreements (IGSA) pilot program until September 30, 2030. Moody AFB has benefitted greatly from partnership tools, particularly the IGSA. The agreements provide additional flexibility in some areas for the base and keeps funds local. Moreover, Moody enjoys tremendous support from the Lowndes County community and government to include three IGSAs signed between Moody and Lowndes County.

This important piece of legislation marked up by the House Armed Services Committee also included the following provisions by Rep. Scott:

• Established a pilot program to provide service personnel with a voluntary option to enroll in a low-premium supplemental insurance plan to help protect against uncovered out-of-pocket expenses resulting from a cancer diagnosis in the family.

• Renamed Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA as Fort Shughart Gordon. MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart were two Delta snipers that fought and died in the October 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. They were both posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and their names deserved to be linked forever in history.

• Strengthened deterrence against Russia in the Baltics by requiring the Secretary of Defense to identify and mitigate obstacles to the deployment of HIMARS platforms and munitions among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in crisis scenarios.

• Modified and extended annual reporting on military and security developments involving the Russian Federation to include Russia's strategic goals, force posture, and military spending.

• Expanded training of partner and allied forces to include space domain awareness.

• Enhanced congressional oversight of the U.S. Africa Command.

Other provisions inserted by Rep. Scott included establishing minimum facility requirements for military working dogs, authorizing the Secretary of Defense to evacuate family pets of American citizens during emergency evacuations on a space available basis, and enhancing the preservation and commemoration of our nation's naval heritage. 

###