Pfluger Secures $100M for Goodfellow in Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) secured major wins in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the House this week. The NDAA is the legislative vehicle that authorizes policies, programs, and spending for the Department of War.

As a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, fighter pilot with nearly two decades of experience, and Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Rep. Pfluger has been an outspoken advocate for ensuring this legislation properly equips the Department of War to implement President Trump's National Security agenda of Peace Through Strength.

To applaud its passage, Rep. Pfluger released the following statement: 

"America is in a window of maximum danger as our adversaries grow increasingly aggressive. Make no mistake, our enemies wish us harm. Ensuring our military is properly equipped to deter, and if necessary, win any potential future conflict, must be a top priority in Congress. This year's NDAA helps us achieve these objectives by implementing President Trump's Peace Through Strength agenda, codifying over 45 Executive Orders and legislative proposals, and fully funding priorities such as the F-47, autonomous weapons systems, and new battle force ships.

"It also refocuses the Pentagon on lethality and warfighting by eliminating DEI programs, banning Critical Race Theory, and ending the woke idea that our servicemembers should be promoted on anything other than merit. This year's NDAA also secures America's borders, builds a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force to confront the threats of tomorrow, and supports our servicemembers with a 3.8% pay raise, improved housing and education, and expanded access to healthcare and childcare.

"All the while, it ensures hardworking Texans continue to play a critical role in our national defense by fully funding Goodfellow Air Force Base's much-needed dormitory upgrades and supporting Fort Hood's Smart Water Grid and Central Energy Plant to enhance base resilience. I applaud the House passage of this critical legislation and urge its swift passage in the Senate."

The bill includes several provisions led by Rep. Pfluger, benefiting Texas and supporting innovation in the military:

• Fort Hood A&M Land Conveyance: allows Texas A&M Central Texas to upgrade its facilities near Fort Hood. Read the full text of this provision here. 
• Rip and Replace Treasury clarification: prohibits Treasury from charging interest on funds for removing Chinese telecommunication equipment from U.S. networks. Read the full text of this provision here. 
• Reserve Forces Mobilization Study: directs the Department of War to conduct a study of U.S. mobilization and sustainment readiness for a major Indo-Pacific conflict with emphasis on reserve forces mobilization. It must assess logistics, vulnerabilities, and allied coordination, and inventory civilian skills in the Reserve Components. Read the full text of this provision here. 
• Revoke security clearances for 1260H Lobbyists: requires the Secretary of War to revoke security clearances for former Department of War personnel who engage in lobbying activities on behalf of China. Read the full text of this provision here.
• CMP Update: Modifies the Civilian Marksmanship program to include retired firearms for training and educating U.S. citizens in the responsible use of firearms. Read the full text of this provision here.
• Psychological Performance Training Pilot Program: establishes a pilot program on psychological performance training at USAFA to improve the readiness, resilience, and mental health of cadets. Read the full text of this provision here.

The bill also included several of Rep. Pfluger's top priorities for TX-11 and our military:

• $100,000,000 for Goodfellow Air Force Base to improve housing on base.
• $54,300,000 for Fort Hood's Smart Water Grid and Central Energy Plant to enhance base resilience. 
• Restore the Air Dominance Report: requires the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report to the congressional defense committees on the declining aircraft readiness rates across the fleet, with a focus on fighter aircraft, and the contributing factors affecting operational availability.
• Tactical Datalinks Streamlining: expands the application to test in special-use airspace.
• Service Academy Admissions Reform: modernizes and clarifies the admissions practices at U.S. military academies by codifying existing good practices, eliminating ambiguity, and establishing clear guidelines for merit-based admissions.