Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party supported the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026, which was passed by the House of Representatives. The NDAA outlines military policy and priorities for the next year, including a 3.8% pay increase for military personnel and benefits for their families.
Moolenaar emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating, “The National Defense Authorization Act is vital to support our brave men and women in uniform, and it improves their quality of life with a well-deserved pay raise and benefits for their families. This legislation ensures our military remains the strongest fighting force in the world and builds peace through strength to deter our adversaries."
He also highlighted several amendments he led that focus on countering threats from China. "The bill includes several of my amendments that will help protect our country from the Chinese Communist Party, including the SAFE Research Act, which will stop federal STEM funding from going to universities or researchers that collaborate with China's military and intelligence services. The bill also includes my bipartisan amendment requiring the Department to assess the national security implications of AI and our positioning relative to China in this increasingly critical competition. I am thankful to Chairman Rogers for including these amendments, along with many of those from my colleagues on the Select Committee. This legislation plays a critical role in advancing American national security in the face of threats from the CCP,” added Moolenaar.
Provisions championed by Moolenaar and other committee members include expanded security assistance for Taiwan, such as authorizing up to $1 billion in fiscal year 2026 under an initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Taiwanese defense agencies. The NDAA requires strategies to counter arms sales by China’s government and calls for new partnerships between U.S. rapid acquisition offices and Taiwan’s defense sector.
Other measures address research security by prohibiting federal awards to individuals or institutions partnering with hostile foreign entities. The act directs further use of advanced artificial intelligence within defense planning while restricting certain foreign unmanned aerial systems operations in U.S. airspace.
To strengthen supply chain security, provisions require maintaining lists of high-risk infrastructure reliant on materials from countries like China, establishing programs designed to improve industrial base resilience, and conducting risk assessments related to medical product supply chains dependent on Chinese components.
The NDAA also instructs reviews into regulatory barriers affecting defense manufacturing capacity and mandates studies on maritime industrial capabilities needed for future naval requirements.
