Fargo Standard

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) voted in support of H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 SPEED and NDAA). The legislation aims to enhance U.S. military capabilities, address border security, and provide a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers and their families.

“Strength is, always has been, and always will be the greatest peacekeeping tool of America,” Fedorchak said. “This defense bill restores focus on our military readiness and invests in the men and women who serve. At the same time, it delivers critical reforms to save more than $20 billion and eliminate biased political programs. I’m proud to support a bill that keeps America strong and makes life better for our servicemembers and their families.”

The bill includes provisions relevant to North Dakota’s defense role. It fully funds modernization efforts at Minot Air Force Base as the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) replaces the Minuteman III fleet, while prohibiting any reduction in the ICBM fleet below 400 missiles. The legislation also supports procurement of a third Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine as part of sea-based deterrence upgrades.

Grand Forks Air Force Base’s involvement with the Space Development Agency is elevated under this act, reinforcing its participation in national missile warning systems and space-based deterrence operations.

The House passed the legislation by a bipartisan vote of 231-196; it now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Key elements of the bill include codifying executive orders from previous administrations, funding defense priorities such as new aircrafts, autonomous systems, submarines, warships, strengthening domestic supply chains, and supporting defense manufacturing jobs.

For border security measures, the act allocates funds to secure the southern border and authorizes nearly $1 billion for anti-drug trafficking initiatives.

Servicemember benefits addressed by the bill include a 3.8 percent pay increase, improvements in housing and education options, over $577 million authorized for renovating hospitals or building new medical facilities, and more than $361 million dedicated to constructing childcare centers.

In terms of nuclear deterrence strategy, funding is provided for modernization activities across all three legs of the nuclear triad—including scientific infrastructure and command-and-control systems—while preventing reductions in ICBM numbers or operational status. The act also authorizes additional resources for developing next-generation nuclear weapons technology such as Sentinel ICBMs and sea-launched cruise missiles.

Space capabilities are expanded through support for Space Force Guardians’ development efforts, establishment of new surveillance programs using commercial satellite data, and implementation of flexible payment models for satellite communications services.

Reform measures included are projected to save taxpayers over $20 billion through workforce adjustments at federal agencies like DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), cuts to consulting contracts and inefficient programs, reduced construction costs on military projects compared with commercial equivalents, strengthened congressional oversight mechanisms, and audit reforms.

Other provisions eliminate diversity-related training programs at service academies—including bans on Critical Race Theory—and require merit-based promotions while restricting funding to universities permitting antisemitic demonstrations.