Full Committee Markup: FY27 NDAA, Part 1 (10am - 7pm)

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee conducted a full committee markup on the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on June 4, 2026. The session involved extensive discussions on defense budget allocations, procurement priorities, and policy provisions affecting military personnel, readiness, and technology development. Key procurement-related highlights included authorization of $1.15 trillion in discretionary defense funding, with emphasis on revitalizing the defense industrial base, multiyear procurement contracts for aircraft such as the F-35 and F-15EX, investments in shipbuilding including Virginia-class submarines and Columbia-class ballistic submarines, and funding for missile defense and space capabilities. The committee also addressed acquisition reform to improve cost-effectiveness and innovation, and debated amendments related to military personnel policies, including promotion transparency and gender-neutral physical fitness standards for combat roles. Several amendments concerning procurement and policy were offered, debated, and voted on, with many requiring recorded votes postponed for later consideration. The committee underscored the importance of oversight, transparency, and accountability in defense spending and procurement, while balancing national security needs with fiscal responsibility. The markup also included discussions on the role of independent military journalism and the apolitical nature of the armed forces. Overall, the committee worked through a large volume of amendments in a bipartisan manner to shape the FY 2027 NDAA, focusing on sustaining military readiness, modernizing capabilities, and supporting service members and their families.