(The Center Square) — U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Peoria, got over 30 amendments added to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which he said will benefit Arizonans.
The NDAA determines the Department of Defense’s annual budget, which congressional members decipher. The fiscal year 2026 budget is $925 million. The House Armed Services Committee, on which Hamadeh sits, debated for almost 14 hours to pass its draft of the NDAA.
The Senate Armed Services Committee also passed its draft of the bill. Both drafts will be voted on in their respective chamber.
To determine amendments to the NDAA, Hamadeh said he talked to Arizona service members, veterans, commanders, small businesses and his colleagues.
The first-year representative said he was grateful to all the people who shared their input and support.
“My constituents and American voices are being heard on the issues that these amendments address to make sure that we are spending the taxpayers’ money carefully and in a way that addresses the critical national defense and quality of life issues of today and tomorrow,” he said.
Hamadeh got eight amendments that he said will specifically benefit his constituents in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District
These amendments include getting suicide prevention oversight for members through the Brandon Act, which was co-sponsored by Hamaedeh and U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona.
Both Hamadeh and Kelly are veterans. Hamadeh served as an Army intelligence officer. Kelly was a Navy pilot who flew combat missions during the Gulf War.
During the House Armed Services Committee debate, Hamadeh secured an amendment that reduces red tape for license holders who own machine guns. According to his press release, this will help save national defense industry companies money that are located in his district.
Hamadeh’s district is home to Luke Air Force Base, which is 15 miles outside of Phoenix. An amendment he secured for inclusion in the NDAA required the secretary of the Air Force to present a plan to address the base’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which frequently breaks down.
The 8th Congressional District will also benefit from increased investments in submarines. Hamadeh’s press release states his district is home to a leading innovator in developing a method to recycle air in submarines.
Hamadeh secured the inclusion of 18 amendments designed to benefit all of Arizona. Some of them helped save jobs.
Hamadeh was able to save 44% of workers at Fort Huachuca’s Electronic Proving Ground from getting laid off. Also, he protected Mesa’s helicopter factory jobs by ordering three additional conversions of Apache helicopters. Mesa is a city just east of Phoenix.
Another amendment Hamadeh secured for Fort Huachuca ensures the Army base always has the necessary water access and won’t be impeded by environmental lawfare.
Regarding national security, the congressman got an extention for Arizona’s partnership with Israel in dealing with cross-border tunnel threats.
On the national level, Hamadeh helped secure the addition of six amendments to the NDAA. These amendments ranged from allowing DOD workers to fly with more pets to speeding up the application for security clearances and extending a program that helps fight the Islamic State group’s resurgence in the Middle East.
