Senator Capito also secured several provisions that stand to benefit West Virginia.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito voted Thursday to approve the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, a bipartisan defense policy bill that passed the Senate 77–20. The legislation sets military policy for the coming year, including support for service members, their families, and national security programs.
Capito said the bill strengthens U.S. military readiness, provides a pay raise for troops, and positions the armed forces to meet modern security challenges. She also highlighted several provisions she advocated for that directly benefit West Virginia.
The NDAA authorizes the Pentagon to formally establish the Irregular Warfare Exercise Laboratory, known as the Ridge Runner exercise led by the West Virginia National Guard. The program brings economic activity to the state while supporting irregular warfare training.
The bill also codifies the Army’s Catalyst Pathfinder program, which originated in West Virginia and allows soldiers to develop and test their own technological solutions. In addition, the legislation requires the Navy to plan for updated waterborne security barriers—equipment manufactured in Wyoming County.
Other major elements of the NDAA include $901 billion in Pentagon funding, a $3.8% pay raise for service members, reforms aimed at improving efficiency and audit performance, and reauthorizations for the State Department, intelligence programs, the Coast Guard, and the Defense Production Act. The bill also expands JROTC by 100 units and authorizes bonuses for new instructors.
