With Honor Action Sends Letter to Senate Detailing FY27 NDAA Priorities

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

On March 27, 2026, With Honor Action sent a letter to Senate Allies and Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee detailing our initial priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. These priorities include the Warrior Right to Repair Act, co-led by For Country Caucus members Reps. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), provisions of the SHIPS for America Act, co-led by With Honor Action allies Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and the expansion of youth service programs.

To With Honor Senate Allies and Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee,  

Each year, With Honor Action endorses several pieces of bipartisan national security legislation. For the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we ask that you consider including the following 20 provisions in your submissions. As we enter an election year that will undoubtedly raise the partisan temperature, this critical, consensus-driven legislation is more important than ever, and the principled leadership demonstrated by the veteran and public service leaders that make up With Honor’s Senate Allies is the path toward a more prosperous and secure nation. 

Modernizing the Department of Defense and Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base:

  1. H.R. 5155 / S. 2209 – Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025  
  2. Special consideration of key national security pieces of the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act (H.R.3151/S.1541):
    1. Sec. 403 – Assessment of Undersea Cable Repair Contingencies
    2. Sec. 512 – Plan of action for use of Defense Production Act of 1950 authorities
    3. Sec. 521 – United States Center for Maritime Innovation
    4. Sec. 616 – Military to maritime transition

Expanding Pathways and Opportunities to Service:

  1. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the JROTC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $353.9 million.
  2. United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the USNSCC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $4.3 million.
  3. Civil Air Patrol (CAP)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the CAP program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $50.3 million for aircraft and maintenance.
  4. National Guard STARBASE Program
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the DoD STARBASE program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $50 million.

Supporting Our Global Allies & Partners:

  1. The establishment of a preservation process for the service records of recognized “Afghan allies” in the Department of Defense.
  2. The establishment of a United States – Ukraine Working Group on Unmanned Systems. 
  3. Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) 
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for TSCI at or above the FY26 authorized level of $1 billion for FY27.

Addressing Military Quality & Ease of Life:

  1. H.R. 6383 – Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act 
  2. H.R. 7188 / S. 3654 – Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act 
  3. H.R. 6976 – Duty Status Reform Act  
  4. The designation of a senior official responsible for the management and oversight of all programs and activities of the Department of Defense related to the transition of members of the Armed Forces to civilian status. 
  5. The expansion of resources to address childcare shortages on Department of Defense installations.

Countering Foreign Malign Influence:

  1.  H.R. 6469 – Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media (FREEDOM) Act
  2. H.R. 7969 – Combatting Chinese Communist Party Influence Act 
  3. Authorization for the Secretaries of Defense and State to support the national security forces of partner countries and actors to counter Russian influence and destabilizing activities. 

Other National Security Matters:

  1. The establishment of an Advisory Council on Fiscal Capacity to Meet National Security Requirements.  
  2. The modification of the annual report on the military and security developments involving the People’s Republic of China to include an assessment of progress toward artificial general intelligence. 
  3. Amending the responsibilities of the Chief Digital Artificial Intelligence Officer within the Department of Defense, to include addressing threats posed by artificial general intelligence.

Detailed descriptions of these measures can be found in Appendix I, and specific legislative text may be found in Appendix II attached to this letter.

Vice President of Government Affairs, Kaylan Swartz, is available to assist your staff with any follow-up information you may need (swartz@withhonor.org).

Rye Barcott

Co-Founder & CEO

With Honor

You can read the full text of the letter here.

You can read our letter to the 18 members of the For Country Caucus on the House Armed Services Committee on the FY27 NDAA that we sent earlier this year here.

With Honor Action Marks 1 Year of Biotech Across America with the NSCEB

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

L-R: NSCEB Executive Director Caitlin Frazer, Commissioners Paul Arcangeli and Dawn Meyerriecks, Vice-Chair Michelle Rozo, House BIOTech Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, NSCEB Chair Sen. Todd Young, House BIOTech Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Stephanie Bice, BIO President and CEO John Crowley, and With Honor Co-Founder & CEO Rye Barcott

With Honor Action was pleased to host a reception to celebrate a historic year for biotechnology in America, highlighting the legislative progress achieved over the past year and recognize the work advancing biotechnology as a key pillar of American national security and economic strength.

In December 2025, Congress passed a significant package of biotechnology provisions informed by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB)’s Final Report. The legislation incorporated 17 With Honor Action-supported provisions in last year’s defense bill, aimed at strengthening biotechnology across the defense and intelligence communities, including steps to improve national security coordination, accelerate biotechnology development and manufacturing for defense applications, address supply chain risks, and expand collaboration with allies.

“We had a singular focus from the very beginning. We wanted to do all we could to make sure that we optimize our biotech ecosystem in this country all to the benefit of the national security of the American people.” – Senator Todd Young, NSCEB Chair

The reception also featured showcases from Exiger, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC), and the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), allowing event attendees to experience the recent breakthroughs in the biotech industry.

“We all collectively recognize that we need to work together on this, because this is really, really important work. And it uniquely will impact, the health and safety of our country and of the world.” – Representative Chrissy Houlahan, House BIOTech Caucus Co-Chair

We are especially grateful for the leadership of Sen. Todd Young, a With Honor Action ally, and For Country Caucus member Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Founding Vice Chair of the For Country Caucus—both veterans—as well as Rep. Stephanie Bice, all of whom have helped elevate biotechnology as a critical national security priority.

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With Honor Action Sends Letter Detailing FY27 NDAA Priorities

Posted on by Abigail Trotter

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, With Honor Action sent a letter to the 18 members of the For Country Caucus on the House Armed Services Committee detailing our initial priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027. These priorities include the Warrior Right to Repair Act, co-led by For Country Caucus members Reps. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), provisions of the SHIPS for America Act, co-led by With Honor Action allies Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and the expansion of youth service programs.

To the Members of the House Armed Services Committee and the For Country Caucus,  

Each year, With Honor Action endorses several pieces of bipartisan national security legislation. For the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), we ask that you consider including the following 16 provisions in your initial submissions to HASC. As we enter an election year that will undoubtedly raise the partisan temperature, this critical, consensus-driven legislation is more important than ever, and the principled veteran leadership demonstrated by the members of the For Country Caucus (4CC) is the path toward a more prosperous and secure nation. 

Modernizing the Department of Defense and Revitalizing the Defense Industrial Base:

  1. H.R. 5155 / S. 2209 – Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025  
  2. Special consideration of key national security pieces of the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act (H.R.3151/S.1541):
    1. Sec. 403 – Assessment of Undersea Cable Repair Contingencies
    2. Sec. 512 – Plan of action for use of Defense Production Act of 1950 authorities
    3. Sec. 521 – United States Center for Maritime Innovation
    4. Sec. 616 – Military to maritime transition

Expanding Pathways and Opportunities to Service:

  1. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the JROTC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $353.9 million.
  2. United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the USNSCC program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $4.3 million.
  3. Civil Air Patrol (CAP)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the CAP program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $50.3 million for aircraft and maintenance.
  4. National Guard STARBASE Program
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for the DoD STARBASE program at or above the FY26 congressionally-authorized level of $50 million.

Supporting Our Global Allies & Partners:

  1. The establishment of a preservation process for the service records of recognized “Afghan allies” in the Department of Defense.
  2. Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for USAI at or above the FY26 authorized level of $400 million for FY27.
  3. Baltic Security Initiative (BSI)
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for BSI at or above the FY26 authorized level of $175 million for FY27.
  4. Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative (TSCI) 
    1. With Honor Action supports the authorization of funding for TSCI at or above the FY26 authorized level of $1 billion for FY27.

Addressing Military Quality & Ease of Life:

  1. H.R. 6383 – Brandon Act Training and Protocol Act 
  2. H.R. 7188 / S. 3654 – Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act 
  3. H.R. 6976 – Duty Status Reform Act  
  4. The designation of a senior official responsible for the management and oversight of all programs and activities of the Department of Defense related to the transition of members of the Armed Forces to civilian status.  

Other National Security Matters:

  1. H.R. 6469 – Special consideration of the Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media (FREEDOM) Act
  2. The requirement of an intelligence community assessment on the foreign malign influence operations of the Chinese Communist Party in key regions at the expense of the United States and its allies.

Detailed descriptions of these measures can be found in Appendix I, and specific legislative text may be found in Appendix II attached to this letter.

Vice President of Government Affairs, Kaylan Swartz, is available to assist your staff with any follow-up information you may need (swartz@withhonor.org).

Rye Barcott

Co-Founder & CEO

With Honor

You can read the full text of the letter here.

With Honor Action Applauds FY26 NDAA, Marking 65 Consecutive Years of Passage

Posted on by Brian Le

For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Forbes, forbes@withhonor.org

With Honor Action Applauds FY26 NDAA, Marking 65 Consecutive Years of Passage

FY26 NDAA advances bipartisan priorities championed by members of the For Country Caucus, working in partnership with With Honor Action, to strengthen U.S. national security, support service members and their families, bolster allies, and invest in the next generation of leaders.

Washington, D.C. – December 18, 2025 – As Congress marks the 65th consecutive year of passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), With Honor Action today applauded enactment of the FY26 NDAA, which includes 70 bipartisan priorities advanced by members of the For Country Caucus in partnership with With Honor Action.

Working alongside these bipartisan Members of Congress and key Senate allies, With Honor Action supported the inclusion of provisions that modernize the Department of Defense (DoD), protect and advance U.S. leadership in biotechnology, strengthen support for Ukraine and NATO, improve the health and well-being of service members, reaffirm America’s commitment to allies and partners, and expand youth service programs that help develop the next generation of leaders.

“These bipartisan results reflect what is possible when leaders put country over party,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “For 65 years, Congress has come together to pass the NDAA, and this year’s bill continues that legacy. Thanks to the leadership of bipartisan champions in the For Country Caucus, along with allies such as SASC leaders Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed, and biotech leaders Representative Chrissy Houlahan and Senator Todd Young—this NDAA demonstrates the power of principled, cross-party cooperation to strengthen America’s security and global leadership.”

“The Commission applauds Congress for taking clear and meaningful action to strengthen national security by including so many of NSCEB’s policy recommendations in the FY26 NDAA. We are grateful to With Honor for their collaboration on bringing these critical biotechnology priorities to life, and we look forward to continuing our work together.” —Caitlin Frazer, Executive Director, NSCEB.

“The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps gives young men and women from a variety of backgrounds the skills and confidence needed to become great citizens. Sea Cadets relies on thousands of volunteers nationwide who invest their time preparing America’s future leaders for productive careers or military service. We are grateful for congressional funding that allows us to keep costs reasonable for our families. We appreciate the strong support and advocacy of With Honor and the For Country Caucus.” —Andrew Lennon, Executive Director, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

Select FY26 NDAA Priorities Advanced with the For Country Caucus

Protecting and Advancing American Biotechnology Leadership

In 2021, With Honor Action helped lead the establishment of the congressionally mandated National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) to assess how advances in biotechnology will shape U.S. national security and the future of the DoD. Chaired by Senator Todd Young, a key With Honor Action Senate ally, the Commission’s Final Report underscores the need for sustained, intentional U.S. investment to maintain global leadership in biotechnology. In parallel, For Country Caucus member Rep. Chrissy Houlahan co-founded the House BIOTech Caucus in collaboration with the NSCEB to further advance bipartisan biotechnology policy. With Honor Action was proud to see that 17 NSCEB-supported provisions were ultimately enacted in the NDAA, strengthening and protecting American leadership in biotechnology, including:

  • Prohibitions on the federal government from procuring biotechnology from companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party that pose national security risks through enactment of the BIOSECURE Act.
  • Requirements for the DoD and intelligence agencies to designate senior leaders responsible for biotechnology strategy, strengthening U.S. global leadership in emerging biotechnology.

Delivering a 21st Century Department of Defense and Industrial Base

Delivering a twenty-first-century Department of Defense requires modernizing how the Pentagon equips the warfighter while strengthening the industrial base that underpins American military power. This year’s NDAA advances that mission by accelerating acquisition reform, expanding access to commercial innovation, and investing in resilient domestic production across critical sectors. With Honor was proud to see key priorities from the FoRGED Act—introduced by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman and With Honor Action ally Senator Roger Wicker—reflected in the legislation, including:

  • The establishment of portfolio acquisition executives to oversee groups of related defense programs, replacing fragmented, program-by-program decision-making with clearer authority and accountability. This policy shift is designed to expedite delivery, enhance coordination between budgets and requirements, and enable the DoD to adapt more quickly to evolving national security needs.
  • Advancements toward a commercial-first procurement policy that directs the DoD to prioritize proven, off-the-shelf technologies before pursuing bespoke military systems. This approach aims to reduce costs, shorten timelines, and better leverage America’s commercial innovation base to meet urgent defense needs.

Standing With Our Democratic Allies & Partners

This year’s NDAA reinforces America’s leadership by strengthening alliance cooperation, sustaining forward U.S. military presence, and enhancing deterrence across key regions. With Honor Action supported provisions that bolster NATO’s eastern flank through the Baltic Security Initiative, deepen Indo-Pacific partnerships including AUKUS, maintain security assistance for Ukraine, and strengthen congressional oversight of U.S. force posture in Europe and the Korean Peninsula. Together with new safeguards on outbound investment to the People’s Republic of China, these measures underscore a sustained commitment to collective defense, allied unity, and a stable, rules-based international order. Specifically, the NDAA includes:

  • $400 million to support Ukraine’s self-defense through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and an expansion of U.S. efforts to identify and return the estimated over 19,000 Ukrainian children abducted during Russia’s invasion.
  • Maintaining U.S. troop levels in Europe and NATO, while codifying protections for key alliance leadership roles, strengthening deterrence against continued Russian aggression, and reinforcing NATO’s collective defense posture amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader strategic uncertainty.
  • Maintaining U.S. troop levels in Korea, which reaffirms the U.S.–ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, strengthens deterrence against North Korean provocations, and supports stability amid rising regional tensions, while reinforcing broader U.S. security commitments across the Indo-Pacific.

Supporting the Warfighter and Our Military Families

This year’s NDAA strengthens warfighter readiness by addressing long-term health risks, improving force protection, and expanding support for military families. With Honor was proud to help advance the ROTOR Act (Sec. 736), led by Reps. Rich McCormick and Chris Deluzio, which extends cancer research to rotary-wing aviators and aviation support personnel to uncover previously unstudied occupational risks. The legislation also establishes blast safety officers to reduce traumatic brain injuries (Sec. 508), enhances compensation and allowances, and expands access to childcare and family support.

Expanding National Civic Youth Programs

This year’s NDAA enhances national readiness by expanding opportunities for young Americans to serve and develop their future leadership skills. With Honor supported full funding for JROTC and the authorization of 200 new units nationwide (Sec. 542), expanding access to leadership, civics, and STEM education. The legislation also boosts funding for the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, National Guard STARBASE, and Civil Air Patrol (Sec. 4301), providing hands-on training in critical fields, while establishing automatic Selective Service registration to reduce the bureaucratic burden on registrants. Together, these measures invest in the next generation of civic and military leaders, reinforcing the foundations of the all-volunteer force.

With Honor Action commends Congress for passing the NDAA for the 65th consecutive year. In February, the organization submitted its FY26 priorities to Congress and worked alongside bipartisan members of the For Country Caucus throughout the legislative process. 70 of those shared priorities were enacted into law as part of this year’s NDAA. A full list of enacted provisions supported by With Honor Action is available [here].

While this year’s NDAA has just been finalized, With Honor is already identifying the priorities we will continue to advocate for in Fiscal Year 2027. We will work to advance the right to repair, strengthening the operational readiness of service members by ensuring they have the necessary tools, information, and authority to repair equipment in the field without incurring high contractor maintenance fees. Our advocacy will also prioritize the need to expand veteran home ownership, including the requirement of side-by-side comparisons of conventional, FHA, and VA loan options, so that eligible borrowers clearly understand and can fully access the benefits they have earned.

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About With Honor Action
With Honor Action works alongside bipartisan Members of Congress—particularly the veterans of the For Country Caucus—to advance principled, bipartisan solutions that strengthen America’s security and democratic institutions. By supporting leaders who pledge to serve with integrity, civility, and courage, With Honor Action helps counter polarization and drive results for the American people. With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4) organization and serves as the policy and social-welfare arm of With Honor. With Honor has an affiliated, federally registered super PAC, With Honor Fund III. Learn more at withhonor.org.

Here’s 5 Things You Probably Missed in the NDAA

Posted on by Brian Le

Congress just did something rare: It was consistent. For the 65th year in a row, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (known as the “NDAA”) this week on a broad, bipartisan basis.

The first NDAA that passed in 1961 was half a page. This year’s NDAA is a whopping 3,086 pages, a big bill that sets policy for the entire Department of Defense, authorizing and allocating $900.6 billion, including a 3.8 percent pay raise for service members. Congress also included authorizations for the Department of State, the Coast Guard, intelligence agencies, and parts of the Department of Energy in this year’s bill.

It’s also an opportunity for organizations like With Honor Action to weigh in on a consistent, bipartisan, bicameral process on policies that affect all Americans and our place in the world. So while you’re reading the entire bill during this holiday season, here are five takeaways from our work on this year’s NDAA.

Advanced AI Security Readiness Act

Posted on by Brian Le

With Honor Action endorses S. 3202 and H.R. 3919, the Advanced AI Security Readiness Act, led by With Honor Action allies Senator Todd Young (R-IN), a Marine Corps veteran, and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a Navy veteran, in the Senate and by Rep. Darin LaHood in the House.

“For decades, America has been the pioneer in AI and emerging technologies. Today, this leadership is under threat from bad actors worldwide. It is critical that the United States keep its role in the vanguard of artificial intelligence so we can set the standards for responsible deployment of this technology,” said Rye Barcott, co-founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor is proud to endorse the bipartisan Advanced AI Security Readiness Act, and we thank our Senate allies, Sens. Todd Young and Mark Kelly, for defending American AI excellence and preserving our technological advantages.”

This legislation would require the Director of the National Security Agency, through the Artificial Intelligence Security Center, to develop an AI Security Playbook to protect covered technologies from malicious threat actors. The playbook will identify vulnerabilities in AI data centers and other AI-specific technologies, including critical components or sensitive information that, if compromised, could enhance adversaries’ capabilities. It will also establish strategies to prevent, detect, defend against, and respond to AI-related security threats.

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