The U.S. Senate advanced a defense bill on Monday authorizing $629 million in construction projects at Texas military bases in 2026, including major investments at Dyess Air Force Base and Joint Base San Antonio.
The funding is part of the $900.6 billion National Defense Authorization Act, the annual must-pass bill that sets Department of Defense spending levels. The legislation drew bipartisan support, passing the House 312-112 last week, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it before year’s end.
Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene will receive $120 million, while Joint Base San Antonio is slated for $57 million in construction funding.
LARGEST INVESTMENT IN DYESS HISTORY
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, a Republican from Abilene who chairs the House Budget Committee, called the allocation“the largest authorized investment in the history of Dyess Air Force Base,” which serves as a key hub for the military’s B-1 bomber fleet.
The legislation also authorizes $500 million for the National Security Administration’s Texas Cryptological Center in San Antonio and $106.7 million for Naval Air Station Fort Worth.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn praised the bill for bolstering the U.S. nuclear arsenal and providing “critical funding to Texas military installations and personnel.” Congress authorized $590.7 million for Texas bases in 2025 and $230 million in 2024.
DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION OVER SOCIAL POLICIES
The bill includes a 3.8% pay increase for service members but drew opposition from some House Democrats over provisions halting transgender care for service members and funding immigration enforcement operations.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar of El Paso, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said she voted against the NDAA for the first time in her congressional career.
“Many aspects of this year’s NDAA build on my years of work on the House Armed Services Committee and advance the priorities of Fort Bliss and our service members,” Escobar said. “But unfortunately, despite great effort to strip the bill of poisonous provisions, Republicans successfully used this bill as a vehicle for their culture wars and propaganda.”
Houston Representatives Al Green and Sylvia Garcia, along with San Antonio Representative Joaquin Castro, also opposed the legislation.
