Restoration of America Foundation announced that the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) does not include major "America First" policy changes championed by the Trump administration.
According to the Restoration of America Foundation, the critique of the 2026 NDAA reflects a growing divide within conservative policy circles over whether Republican lawmakers have done enough to institutionalize President Trump's America First defense agenda. The Foundation contends that Congress missed a historic opportunity to codify Trump's directives on military meritocracy, defense spending priorities, and national sovereignty. While the bill includes provisions banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and expanding troop pay, critics argue it remains overly influenced by establishment Republicans wary of fully embracing Trump's reforms. This tension underscores the GOP’s struggle to balance traditional defense commitments with the populist, nationalist direction of the modern conservative movement.
The Congressional Budget Office reports that the 2026 NDAA totals approximately $886 billion in authorized defense spending, representing a 3.2% increase from the previous fiscal year. Roughly $26 billion is allocated for personnel pay raises, while $34 billion targets modernization of weapons systems and nuclear capabilities. However, less than 0.2% of total funds are explicitly restricted from use on DEI or climate-related initiatives—far below the levels proposed in early House drafts. The Restoration of America Foundation argues that without permanent statutory bans, executive agencies could reinstate ideological programs that undermine military readiness.
A 2025 Heritage Foundation analysis ranked U.S. military readiness as "weak," citing a 15% decline in combat aircraft mission capability since 2017 and shortages in ammunition stockpiles for key weapons systems. Heritage experts estimate that U.S. forces can meet the demands of only one major regional conflict at a time—well short of the Pentagon’s two-war standard. These findings support Restoration's argument that Congress must prioritize domestic rearmament over extended foreign commitments and secure supply chain independence to restore U.S. warfighting capacity.
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Illinois, the Restoration of America Foundation is a conservative nonprofit dedicated to advancing the America First policy agenda through research, advocacy, and public education. The Foundation promotes issues such as election integrity, military reform, national sovereignty, and the preservation of traditional American values. It frequently publishes investigative reports and commentary aimed at holding political leaders accountable to grassroots conservative priorities. Closely aligned with its media initiatives, it seeks to institutionalize policy reforms that strengthen U.S. self-reliance, merit-based governance, and military excellence.
