WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (S. 2296) by a vote of 77-20. Now that both chambers have passed the measure, it will go to conference for further consideration. However, Graham noted that the Senate passed legislation includes several important priorities for South Carolina.

“The Senate’s passage of the annual defense authorization bill is a giant step forward in ensuring a pay raise for our troops and the authorization of several important projects for South Carolina.”

Background on the Senate FY26 NDAA:

• Authorizes a 3.8 percent pay raise for military members.
• Authorizes millions for South Carolina military construction projects, including:
• $51 million for a new Child Development Center at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina (also included in the House-passed NDAA)
• $65.4 million for the Nuclear Power Training Facility Simulation Expansion project at Joint Base Charleston (also included in the House-passed NDAA)
• $33 million for the construction of a Medical Facility Addition for the Air Force Reserve based in Joint Base Charleston
• Authorizes billions for the Savannah River Site to help advance critical programs like Plutonium Pit Production and Environmental Cleanup.
• Includes language that seeks to enhance veteran care by improving the availability of care for veterans from facilities and providers of the Department of War.

####