NW Kansas News

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, has welcomed the Senate’s passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In a statement, Sen. Moran said: “Each year, Congress has the responsibility to pass an annual defense bill to make certain our servicemembers have the technology, resources and support to keep our nation safe and combat threats from our adversaries. The bipartisan bill passed by the Senate makes important strategic investments to bolster our military capabilities, provide a well-deserved pay raise for our troops and support increased quality of life for our Armed Forces. I worked to secure provisions to invest in Kansas’ military bases, expand access to medical care for our servicemembers and their families, and improve the safety and efficiency of military operations. We owe a debt of thanks to the men and women who serve our nation, and it is my priority to make certain they have the resources needed to fulfil their mission.

“While this legislation is important for bolstering our military’s capabilities, it is critical that we fund the government through the non-partisan, continuing resolution and the regular appropriations process to reopen the government and pay our troops.”

Senator Moran introduced an amendment aimed at improving cooperation between the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding Military Medical Treatment Facilities such as Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley. The amendment was adopted by the Senate. It establishes new requirements before downgrading such facilities, encourages greater DoD-VA collaboration in utilizing these hospitals more effectively, and seeks expanded healthcare access for veterans.

The NDAA authorizes $26 million for constructing a new Air Traffic Control tower at Fort Riley as well as $13 million for a new training course there. An additional $16 million will be used for design funding toward new barracks on base.

The legislation includes several national measures: requiring position broadcast technology around commercial airports; directing policies on using these systems; mandating DoD development of processes with FAA for sharing near miss data; providing a 3.8 percent pay increase for servicemembers; improving recruiter access in secondary schools; establishing a National Week of Military Recruitment; advancing readiness funding across all services; instructing evaluation of alternative ship maintenance technologies within Navy operations; maintaining hearing aid coverage through TRICARE Select for dependents of retired servicemembers—building on prior expansions—and requiring reporting on data matches that would allow automatic Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.

Additionally, Sen. Moran’s amendment ensures veterans from Micronesia, Palau, or Marshall Islands who reside there after U.S. military service will have access via VA telehealth services, mail-order pharmacy options, and beneficiary travel reimbursement.